In an effort to stop sexual misconduct and assaults before they happen, Minnesota lawmakers have passed a law making grooming a felony-level criminal offense.
According to the new law, a person over the age of 18 commits grooming when they:
- expresses to a child the desire or intent to engage in sexual conduct with that child; and
- engages in a deliberate pattern of conduct to methodically develop a false trusting relationship with the child that is intended to strategically manipulate the child to engage in sexual conduct with the person at a future time, regardless of whether any sexual conduct occurs.
A felony-level grooming conviction would lead to up to five years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
New Grooming Bill
The push for a specific anti-grooming bill was championed by Hannah LoPresto, who shared her experience with grooming and sexual assault by her former high school band director. Her ultimate goal was to pass this bill to criminalize grooming so that predatory behavior isn’t allowed to escalate into sexual assault as easily. LoPresto and the detective who investigated her case, Chad Clausen, testified in several House and Senate committees. Both chambers ended up passing the bill unanimously.
“If someone could be charged with grooming before a sexual assault has taken place — just to know that as a society, or Minnesota as a whole, has recognized that it (grooming) is harmful on its own and that it needs to be a crime. It can stop future abuse from happening. That’s great,” LoPresto said.
Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, sponsored the bill in the Minnesota Senate and credited LoPresto when it came time to vote.
“Hannah, thank you for your bravery for telling your story over and over and over again, for turning something so painful and difficult into meaningful legislation,” Maye Quade said. “It takes so much work and vulnerability to continue to show up again and again to advocate for change, and I’m just so grateful to know you and have done this alongside you.”
Governor Tim Walz signed the bill into law last week. It will officially go into effect August 1, 2026.
This is a win for children and Minnesotans. Previously, it was difficult to take action against a predator until they’ve committed a physical act, but now the act of grooming is a criminal offense in and of itself. This can help protect children earlier in the process and save them from additional harm while also getting predators off the street sooner. It’s wonderful to see that the bill had bipartisan support.
As always, if you or someone you know needs help after being charged with a criminal offense, let the team at Appelman Law Firm go to work for you. For more information, or to set up a free case evaluation, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
