HB993 Anti-Grooming Bill Becomes Law July 1

A new law that makes grooming a child or minor for indecent purposes, will take effect July 1.

In April, House Bill 993, authored by State Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), chairman of the House Regulated Industries Committee, was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp at the State Capitol.

During testimony before a State Senate Committee in March, Powell said the bill is based on an incident in Hart County in which an 11-year-old girl was groomed for years by her gymnastics coach at the Bell Family YMCA in Hartwell.

The suspect in that case has not yet gone to trial and remains under house arrest.

At the time of the signing in April, Kemp said it’s vital the state continues to keep up with technology in order to protect Georgia’s minors from predators.

Powell added the new law sends a clear message to sexual predators that their behavior will not be tolerated in Georgia.

Beginning July 1, any person who commits such a crime will be subject to felony imprisonment of one to five years.

The law only applies to a person over the age of 18 and who is not within four years of age of the alleged victim.

It will also apply to conduct completed within or outside of the state or conduct aimed at a minor outside of this state if the actions occurred within Georgia.