04/05/13 One of State Senator Randy Head’s bills to protect Hoosier children was approved by the House of Representatives Thursday by a vote of 93-0. Senate Bill 347 now returns to the Senate for final legislative review.
SB 347 makes it illegal for certain sex offenders whose victims were children to communicate with a minor under 16 years old using a social networking site. It also increases the penalty for child solicitation to a Class B felony if the person solicits a child online and then travels to meet him or her, or if the person is a repeat offender for child solicitation.
“This bill is a crucial step toward better protecting our children from online predators,” Head said. “As more young people use social media to communicate, criminals are using these websites to find and talk to potential victims. The legislation passed today will address this problem and send a message that Indiana will not tolerate those who seek to harm our children.”
A House amendment to the bill creates a legislative study committee to examine the extent to which certain crimes, including sex crimes and domestic violence, are underreported to law enforcement, especially when the victim is a child.
Representative Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) is the legislation’s sponsor.
