SB 551 – Creates the offense of unlawful internet communication with a minor

• Sponsor: Sater
• LR Number: 4398S.01I
• Committee: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
• Last Action: 1/15/2014 - Second Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
• Journal Page: S92
• Effective Date: August 28, 2014

Current Bill Summary

SB 551 - This act creates the offense of unlawful internet communication with a minor.

Under this act, it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person found guilty of certain specified sex offenses to violate a condition of probation, parole, or supervised release that prohibits the person from using a social networking website or instant messaging or chat room program to communicate with a child under the age of 16. Any subsequent offense is a Class D felony. It is a defense to prosecution that the person reasonably believed the child was 16 years of age or older.

This act defines "instant messaging or chat room program" and "social networking website".

MEGHAN LUECKE