MADISON—In response to growing reports of sexual misconduct and grooming behavior in Wisconsin schools and youth organizations, Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie) and Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp) have introduced legislation to create a new criminal offense that specifically defines and penalizes grooming a child for sexual activity under Wisconsin law.
“As a mom, I know the extent of trust that parents place in the people who care for their children,” Rep. Nedweski said. “When that trust is betrayed and those adults prey on our children’s innocence, the consequences should be severe and certain. Right now, many predators are able to evade accountability because Wisconsin does not have criminal penalties for grooming a child. Our bill changes that.”
A year-long investigation by The Capital Times revealed widespread allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming within Wisconsin schools, along with an alarming lack of transparency from the Department of Public Instruction when such incidents occur. Nedweski, who represents much of Kenosha County, pointed to the case of Christian Enwright–a 30-year-old Kenosha teacher who faced allegations of grooming a 14-year-old student over the course of two years—as an example of where the lack of an established grooming penalty allowed an offender to evade accountability. Enwright was sentenced to merely a year in jail for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
“This critically important piece of legislation will protect our state’s most important and vulnerable assets – our children,” Sen. James said. “While I am proud to join my colleagues in authoring this bill, I am disgusted by the stories that have made legislation like this so necessary. It has become clear to me, the Governor, and to my fellow legislators that Wisconsin needs a statutory definition for grooming.”
Under LRB-5392/LRB-5397, grooming is defined as a “course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts intended to condition, seduce, or entice a child for the purpose of sexual activity or exploitation.” Examples include sexualized conversations, inappropriate physical contact, digital communications designed to lure a child, and efforts to isolate a child from family or peers.
The bill establishes a Class G felony as the base penalty for offenders convicted of grooming a child for sexual activity. Penalties increase if the offender holds a position of trust or authority over the child, if the victim has a disability, or if the offense involves multiple children. Those convicted would also be required to register as sex offenders under 301.45, Wis. Stats.
“This bill draws from my own law enforcement experience and legislation from other states. It also been vetted by people who work on these cases every day. By making grooming a standalone crime, we will bring accountability and additional felony charges for those who prey on our children,” James, the only active-duty member of law enforcement in the State Legislature, added. “While the headlines have been focused on misconduct in schools, our bill is written with the understanding that these evils can happen anywhere. When children are victimized, the damage is devasting and can impact them for the rest of their life. I will never stop fighting to make Wisconsin safer for our kids.”
If signed into law, Wisconsin would join several other states—including Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Texas—who have enacted anti-grooming legislation in recent years. This legislation builds on those successful models to help Wisconsin close a legal loophole that has allowed predators to evade justice.
“Whether it’s a teacher, a coach, or a mentor—we must ensure that adults who exploit their positions of trust to manipulate and prey upon children face real accountability under the law,” Nedweski added. “This bill gives our partners in law enforcement the clear legal tools necessary to prosecute these predators and provide victims and families with the justice they deserve.”
A copy of the legislation is attached. In addition to defining grooming and establishing penalties, LRB-5392/LRB-5397 updates other areas of Wisconsin statute to incorporate the new offense where appropriate.
