Electronic Solicitation or Luring of Children: State Laws

State Laws
Electronic Solicitation or Luring of Children

Sixty-five percent of American children use the Internet from home, school, or some other location. And while the Internet can offer many educational resources and enriching experiences for children, it may also be a threat to their safety. A 2000 U.S. Department of Justice survey of youth ages 10 to 17 by the Crimes Against Children Resource Center at the University of New Hampshire (CCRC) found that approximately one in five received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the preceding year. A 2006 follow-up study by CCRC found that youth are increasingly exposed to unwanted pornography and online harassment and cyber-bullying, but receive fewer sexual solicitations.

Forty-three states have laws that specifically prohibit electronic luring or solicitation of minors by computer for the purpose of inducing them to engage in illegal sexual conduct. Laws that do not include specific references to electronic communication may still be used against online predators, but specific language can make the laws easier to enforce.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have additional resources and statistics about child sexual exploitation and prevention.

Last update: December 18, 2007

Alabama	Ala. Code § 13A-6-110 to 111
Alaska	Alaska Statutes § 11.41-452
Arizona	Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-3506.01, 13-1554
Arkansas	Ark. Stat. § 5-27-603
California	Cal. Penal Code §§ 272(b), 288.2
Colorado	Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-21-1001 to -1003, 18-3-306 to -405.4
Connecticut	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-90a
Delaware	Del. Code. tit. 11 § 1112A
Florida	Fla. Stat. § 847.0135
Georgia	Ga. Code § 16-12-100.2
Hawaii	Hawaii Rev. Stat. §§ 707.756, 707.757, 708.893
Idaho	Idaho Code § 18-1509A
Illinois	720 ILCS 5/11-6
Indiana	Ind. Code § 35-42-4-6
Kansas	Kan. Stat. § 21-3523
Kentucky	Ky. Rev. Stat. § 510.155
Louisiana	La. Rev. Stat. § 14:81.3
Maine	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A § 259
Maryland	Md. Criminal Law Code §§ 3-324, 11-207
Michigan	Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.145a, 750.145d
Minnesota	Minn. Stat. § 609.352
Mississippi	Miss. Code §§ 97-5-27, 97-5-33
Missouri	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 566.151
Nebraska	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-320.02
Nevada	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 201.560
New Hampshire	N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 649-B:3, 649-B:4
New Jersey	N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:13-6
New Mexico	N.M. Stat. § 30-37-3.2
New York	N.Y. Penal Law § 235.22
North Carolina	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-202.3
North Dakota	N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-20-05.1
Ohio	Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.07
Oklahoma	Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1040.13a, 21 § 1123
Oregon	2007 H.B. 2843, Chapter 869
Pennsylvania	Pa. Cons. Stat. tit . 18, § 6318
Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-8.8
South Dakota	S.D. Codified Laws § 22-24A-5
Tennessee	Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-528
Texas	Tex. Penal Code § 33.021
Utah	Utah Code § 76-4-401
Vermont	Vt. Stat. tit. 13 § 2828
Virginia	Va. Code §§ 18.2-374.3, 19.2-386.31
West Virginia	W. Va. Code § 61-3C-14b
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. § 948.075

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Total: 44 states

NCSL Contact: Pam Greenberg, NCSL Denver Office, pam.greenberg at ncsl.org, 303-364-7700

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State LawsElectronic Solicitation or Luring of Children

State Laws
Electronic Solicitation or Luring of Children