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SSB 1004

A bill for an act establishing the offense of assault by criminal groping, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates a new offense of assault by criminal groping for intentional contact with an intimate body part without sexual abuse intent, with escalating penalties and sex offender regi

Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
#assault #criminallaw #criminaloffenders #felonies #minors #misdemeanors #sentencing #sexcrimes #sexoffenderregistration
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Bill Summary · SSB 1004

Summary: SSB 1004 – Assault by Criminal Groping

Overview

SSB 1004 proposes a new criminal offense called “assault by criminal groping.” The offense targets intentional physical contact with an intimate body part of another person without the intent to commit sexual abuse. The bill defines the terms and sets escalating penalties based on the offender’s history of violations. It also creates sex offender registration consequences tied to the victim’s age and whether the assault was sexually motivated.

Key Definitions

  • Assault by criminal groping: An assault involving intentional contact with an intimate body part of another person, without the intent to commit sexual abuse.
  • Intimate body part: The clothed or unclothed inner thigh, groin, buttock, or breast.
  • Sexually motivated: A court determination may be made if the offense was sexually motivated, affecting registration requirements.
  • Victim age thresholds for registration:
    • If sexually motivated and the victim is 14 or older → Tier I sex offender.
    • If sexually motivated and the victim is under 14 → Tier II sex offender.

Provisions and Penalties

The bill establishes a three-tier progression based on the offender’s conduct history:

  • First violation: Serious misdemeanor

    • Confinement: up to 1 year
    • Fine: at least $430, up to $2,560

  • Second violation: Aggravated misdemeanor

    • Confinement: up to 2 years
    • Fine: at least $855, up to $8,540

  • Third or subsequent violation: Class D felony

    • Confinement: up to 5 years
    • Fine: at least $1,025, up to $10,245

Sex Offender Registration Implications

  • If the court determines the assault was sexually motivated and the victim is 14 or older, the offender must register as a Tier I sex offender.
  • If the court determines the assault was sexually motivated and the victim is under 14, the offender must register as a Tier II sex offender.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • The offense targets individuals who intentionally contact an intimate body part of another person without the intent to commit sexual abuse.
  • It has implications for offenders at varying levels of severity and potentially for placement on the state sex offender registry based on victim age and sexual motivation.

Procedural History and Timelines

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025 (referred to Judiciary)
  • Subcommittee: Westrich, Bisignano, and Dickey
  • Subcommittee action: January 29, 2025 – recommended amendment and passage
  • Status: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage

Potential Impact

  • Creates a distinct criminal offense with clear escalation from serious misdemeanor to felony for repeated offenses.
  • Enhances penalties for assault involving groping of intimate body parts without sexual abuse intent.
  • Ties certain convictions to sex offender registry requirements, with tiering based on victim age and sexual motivation.
  • May affect policing, charging decisions, and prosecutorial strategies related to groping and related conduct.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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