Bullard Bill to Make ‘Grooming’ a Felony Crime Awaits Senate Floor Vote

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, recently advanced legislation to make “grooming” a felony crime in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 1540 would make it a felony for an individual to willfully or maliciously engage in “grooming,” in which an adult establishes a relationship with a minor with the intent to engage the child in sexual activity. The crime would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

“In our time, we have witnessed one of the largest increases in the ‘grooming’ and targeting of our kids,” Bullard said. “For far too long, we have waited until the damage has been done to step in and stop kids from being ‘groomed’ for sexual exploitation. Senate Bill 1540 works to stop pedophiles before they have a chance to severely and permanently damage our kids.”

The bill defines “grooming” as an individual befriending or establishing an emotional connection with a minor, or with a person responsible for the minor’s health, safety or well-being, in an effort to lower the minor’s inhibitions with the intent to engage in lewd or sexual acts.

“Children are a blessing from the Lord and must be protected from predators,” Bullard said. “This legislation is about stopping the sexualization of children at its earliest stages and holding predators accountable before irreversible harm is done.”

SB 1540 recently passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits a vote of the full Senate.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.