Rep. Mulligan Announces Tough New Legislation to Crack Down on Child Solicitation

February 27, 2002

“This type of legislation is necessary,” said Mulligan. “We must protect our children wherever they are and we must get predators off the streets. This new legislation will accomplish both goals,” Mulligan added.

House Bill 5637 will offer protection for minors over a variety of media including
Internet, telephone, online service and e-mail. The legislation will make soliciting with intent to seduce a minor a class 4 felony and raises the penalty for a second offense to a class 3 felony.

“Criminals are becoming more savvy and sophisticated and our laws must be kept up-to-date so that they cannot slip between the cracks,” said Mulligan. “If one child is hurt because of sexual assault, that is one too many. This bill will offer much need protection for children on-line and over the telephone,” added Mulligan.

House Bill 5637 passed from Committee to the House calendar February 22. According to Mulligan, the entire House will debate the legislation before the end of Spring Session.

For more information please contact State Representative Rosemary Mulligan at 847.297.6533.