United States of America: Act codifying grooming as distinct offence and expanding child sexual abuse provisions to include digital depictions (HB 82) enters into force

On 1 July 2025, the Act codifying grooming as a distinct offence and expanding child sexual abuse provisions to include digital depictions (HB 82) enters into force in Montana. The Act revises multiple provisions of Montana law concerning crimes involving minors. It expands the offence of sexual abuse of children to include computer-generated and simulated child pornography and updates statutory definitions to reflect technological developments. The Act introduces a new criminal offence of grooming a child for a sexual offence, including manipulation or coercion through in-person or electronic communication. It amends related offences such as indecent exposure, prostitution, obscenity, and child sex trafficking to apply in cases where the offender believes they are interacting with a minor, including scenarios involving law enforcement officers posing as children. The grooming offence is added to the definition of a sexual offence, making it subject to offender registration and sentencing enhancements. Penalties for the new and amended offences include imprisonment ranging from 5 years to life, depending on the nature of the conduct and whether aggravating circumstances are present.