Creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty, the official text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-5392/1
CMH:cjs&emw

2025 ASSEMBLY BILL 677
November 19, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives Nedweski, Brill, Dittrich, Behnke, Callahan, DeSmidt, Donovan, Duchow, Franklin, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, B. Jacobson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Novak, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Snyder, Steffen, Tusler and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senators James, Wanggaard, Hutton, Nass and Quinn. Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

An Act to amend 48.345 (3) (a) 2., 48.345 (3) (b) 2., 48.685 (1) (c) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2m., 50.065 (1) (e) 2., 51.20 (13) (ct) 2m., 103.34 (1) (b) 2., 111.335 (1m) (b) 1., 111.335 (1m) (d) 1., 165.84 (7) (ab) 1., 165.93 (1) (b), 301.046 (4) (b) (intro.), 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a., 301.048 (4m) (b) (intro.), 301.45 (1d) (b), 302.05 (3) (a) 1., 302.105 (2) (intro.), 302.11 (1g) (a) 2., 302.116 (1) (a), 303.068 (4m) (b) (intro.), 304.06 (1) (d) 1., 304.06 (1) (em), 304.06 (2m) (a), 304.063 (2) (intro.), 343.06 (1) (i), 343.30 (2d), 440.312 (2), 440.982 (2), 767.461 (4), 901.08 (1) (b), 938.34 (3) (a) 2., 938.34 (3) (b) 2., 938.34 (15m) (bm), 939.615 (1) (b) 1., 939.62 (2m) (a) 1m. a., 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. b., 939.632 (1) (e) 1., 939.74 (2) (c), 941.29 (1g) (a), 941.291 (1) (b), 948.13 (1) (a), 948.21 (1) (a), 949.03 (2), 968.28, 969.001 (3) (a), 969.08 (10) (b), 971.17 (1m) (b) 2m., 972.11 (2) (b) (intro.), 973.01 (3g), 973.0135 (1) (b) 2., 973.048 (2m), 973.176 (3), 973.20 (4m) and 980.01 (6) (a); to create 343.12 (7) (c) 18m., 786.36 (1m) (c)
16m. and 948.072 of the statutes; relating to: creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, child enticement is a Class D felony. Child enticement is the act of causing or attempting to cause a child to go into any vehicle, building, room, or secluded place for various sexual purposes, including sexual contact or sexual intercourse; prostitution; to expose a person’s genitals, pubic area, or intimate parts to the child or to cause the child to expose his or her genitals, pubic area, or intimate parts; or to record the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This bill creates a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity. Under this bill, no person may engage in a course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts with the intention to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse or sexual contact or for the purpose of producing distributing, or possessing depictions of the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The bill provides examples of a course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts that could constitute grooming, including verbal comments, suggestions, or conversations of a sexual nature directed toward a child; inappropriate or sexualized physical contact; written, electronic, or digital communications to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; and isolating a child. A person who is convicted of the crime of grooming a child for sexual activity is guilty of a Class G felony, except that, if the person is in a position of trust or authority over the child, the classification increases to a Class F felony; if the child has a disability known to the person, the classification increases to a Class E felony; and if the violation involves two or more children, the classification increases to a Class D felony. Additionally, the person is subject to consequences for committing a child sex offense such as the requirement to register with the Department of Corrections as a sex offender. The crime does not apply to a person who is 18 or under if it involves a child who is not more than four years younger than the person unless the violation involves force, coercion, or abuse of a position of trust or authority over the child.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 48.345 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.345 (3) (a) 2. The home of a relative other than the parent of a child or the
home of like-kin if the judge finds that the relative or like-kin has been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or has had a charge dismissed or amended as a result of a plea agreement for a crime under s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.
Section 2. 48.345 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.345 (3) (b) 2. The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if the judge finds that the person has been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or has had a charge dismissed or amended as a result of a plea agreement for a crime under s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.
Section 3. 48.685 (1) (c) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act 24, section 93, is amended to read:
48.685 (1) (c) 2. A violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.12, 940.22 (2) or (3), 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295, 940.60 (2) or (3) (a), (b), or (c), 940.66 (2), 942.09 (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53 or s. 940.19 (2), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (4), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (5), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (6), 2023 stats., or s. 940.198 (2), 2023 stats.
Section 4. 48.685 (4m) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.685 (4m) (b) 2. That the person was charged for a violation of s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state, and the charge was dismissed or amended as part of a plea agreement.
Section 5. 48.685 (4m) (b) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (4m) (b) 2m. That the person has pleaded no contest to a violation of s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.
Section 6. 50.065 (1) (e) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
50.065 (1) (e) 2. For the purposes of an entity that serves persons under the age of 18, “serious crime” includes a violation of s. 948.02 (2), 948.03 (2) (b) or (c) or (5) (a) 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21 (2), 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53 or a violation of the law of any other state or United States jurisdiction that would be a violation of s. 948.02 (2), 948.03 (2) (b) or (c) or (5) (a) 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21 (2), 948.30, or 948.53 if committed in this state.
Section 7. 51.20 (13) (ct) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
51.20 (13) (ct) 2m. If the subject individual is before the court on a petition filed under a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. and is found to have committed a violation, or to have solicited, conspired, or attempted to commit a violation, of s.
940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 944.06, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, or 948.30, of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, or of s. 940.30 or 940.31 if the victim was a minor and the subject individual was not the victim’s parent, the court shall require the individual to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45 unless the court determines, after a hearing on a motion made by the individual, that the individual is not required to comply under s. 301.45 (1m).
Section 8. 103.34 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act 24, section 93, is amended to read:
103.34 (1) (b) 2. A violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.30, 940.302, 940.305, 940.31, 940.60 (2) or (3) (a), (b), or (c), 940.66 (2), 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10, 943.30, 943.31, 943.32, 944.32, 944.34, 946.10, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2), (3), or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21 (2), 948.215, or 948.30 or s. 940.19 (2), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (4), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (5), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (6), 2023 stats., or s. 940.198 (2), 2023 stats., or of a substantially similar federal law or law of another state.
Section 9. 111.335 (1m) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
111.335 (1m) (b) 1. A violation specified in ch. 940 or s. 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.095.

Section 10. 111.335 (1m) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
111.335 (1m) (d) 1. A violation of s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, or 948.30 (2).
Section 11. 165.84 (7) (ab) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act 24, section 93, is amended to read:
165.84 (7) (ab) 1. A felony violation of s. 940.01, 940.05, 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.235, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.305, 940.31, 940.32 (2), (2e), or (2m), 940.43, 940.45, 940.66 (2), 941.20, 941.21, 941.327, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10, 943.23 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, or 948.30 (2) or s. 940.198 (2), 2023 stats.
Section 12. 165.93 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
165.93 (1) (b) “Sexual assault” means conduct that is in violation of s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09 or 948.10.
Section 13. 301.046 (4) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
301.046 (4) (b) (intro.) Before a prisoner is confined under sub. (1) for a violation of s. 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, or 948.085, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all of the following persons, if they can be found, in accordance with par. (c) and after receiving a completed card under par. (d):
Section 14. 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a. of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act 24, section 93, is amended to read:

301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a. A crime specified in s. 940.19 (3), 1999 stats., s. 940.195 (3), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1m), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., s. 940.19 (4), 2023 stats., s. 940.19 (5), 2023 stats., s. 940.195 (4), 2023 stats., s. 940.195 (5), 2023 stats., s. 940.198 (2), 2023 stats., s. 940.20, 2023 stats., s. 940.201, 2023 stats., s. 940.203, 2023 stats., or s. 940.204, 2023 stats., or s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.21, 940.225 (1) to (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.285 (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.29, 940.295 (3) (b) 1g., 1m., 1r., 2., or 3., 940.31, 940.43 (1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 940.60 (3) (a) or (b), 940.61, 940.62, 940.65 (3) (a) or (b), 940.66 (2), 941.20 (2) or (3), 941.26, 941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.30, 943.32, 946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30.
Section 15. 301.048 (4m) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
301.048 (4m) (b) (intro.) As soon as possible after a prisoner, probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision who has violated s. 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, or 948.085 enters the intensive sanctions program, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all of the following persons, if they can be found, in accordance with par. (c) and after receiving a completed card under par. (d):
Section 16. 301.45 (1d) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
301.45 (1d) (b) “Sex offense” means a violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 944.06, 944.18, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07 (1) to (4), 948.072, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125,
948.13, or 948.30, of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, or of s. 940.30 or 940.31 if the victim was a minor and the person who committed the violation was not the victim’s parent.
Section 17. 302.05 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
302.05 (3) (a) 1. The inmate is incarcerated regarding a violation other than a crime specified in ch. 940 or s. 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.095.
Section 18. 302.105 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
302.105 (2) (intro.) Before an inmate who is in a prison serving a sentence for a violation of s. 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, or 948.085 is released from imprisonment because he or she has reached the expiration date of his or her sentence, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all of the following persons, if they can be found, in accordance with sub. (3) and after receiving a completed card under sub. (4):
Section 19. 302.11 (1g) (a) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act 24, section 93, is amended to read:
302.11 (1g) (a) 2. Any felony under s. 940.09 (1), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1m), 1999 stats., s. 948.35 (1) (b) or (c), 1999 stats., s. 948.36, 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., s. 940.19 (5), 2023 stats., s. 940.195 (5), 2023 stats., or s. 940.198 (2), 2023 stats., or s. 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09 (1c), 940.21, 940.225 (1) or (2), 940.305 (2), 940.31 (1) or (2) (b), 940.60 (3) (b), 940.65 (3) (b), 940.66 (2), 943.02, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32 (2), 946.43 (1m), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2)
(a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, 948.08, or 948.30 (2).
Section 20. 302.116 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
302.116 (1) (a) “Serious sex offense” means a violation of s. 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, or 948.07, or 948.072 or a solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit a violation of s. 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, or 948.085.
Section 21. 303.068 (4m) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
303.068 (4m) (b) (intro.) Before an inmate who is imprisoned for a violation of s. 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.072, or 948.085 is released on leave under this section, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all of the following persons, if they can be found, in accordance with par. (c) and after receiving a completed card under par. (d):
Section 22. 304.06 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
304.06 (1) (d) 1. The notice under par. (c) shall inform the offices and persons under par. (c) 1. to 3. of the manner in which they may provide written statements under this subsection, shall inform persons under par. (c) 3. that they may attend interviews or hearings and make statements under par. (eg) and shall inform persons under par. (c) 3. who are victims, or family members of victims, of crimes specified in s. 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, or 948.07, or 948.072 of the manner in which they may have direct input in the parole decision-making process under par. (em). The parole
commission shall provide notice under this paragraph for an inmate’s first application for parole and, upon request, for subsequent applications for parole.