HB993 “Grooming” Bill, Passes in the State Senate

House Bill 993 which would make the act of grooming a minor for sex a felony has passed in the State Senate.

The bill, sponsored by State rep Alan Powell passed Tuesday by a vote of 53 to 1.

“My most profound thanks to Sen Bo Hatchett for carrying this Bill in the Senate and for the Cobb family whose story was so instrumental. This will be another arrow in the arsenal to stop sexual predators of minors. Another special thanks to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council and so many Legislators for time, efforts, and beliefs,” Powell said.

A final revision also passed Tuesday in the House by a vote of 172 to 2.

After initially adopted by substitute in the House on February 22, by a vote of 174 to 3 the bill crossed over to the Senate on February 26 where it had a hearing earlier this month before the State Senate Judiciary Committee.

During that hearing, Powell along with Deputy Directory Lalaine Brionis with the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, presented their case for the bill’s approval.

Powell told the Committee there is nothing in the current State statute that specifically addresses the process and problem of grooming.

During testimony before the Committee, 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 girl’s mother, Susan Cobb, also testified before the Committee and detailed what her daughter went through for years at the hands of her alleged molester, until at the age of 20, her daughter committed suicide after the suspect was released on bond.

The case against the suspect who allegedly groomed and molested her daughter has not yet gone to trial.

HB993 will now head to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature.