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Gov. Brian Kemp signs HB 993 into law April 24 at the Georgia state Capitol. The bill was sponsored by Hartwell’s state Rep. Alan Powell.
During an April 24 bill signing event dedicated to human trafficking-related issues, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 993, officially making the grooming of a minor for sex a felony in the State of Georgia punishable with one to five years of prison time.
HB 993 unanimously passed by substitute on the State Senate floor on March 26. It was sponsored by Representative Alan Powell of District 33, and was carried in the Senate by Bo Hatchett of District 50.
HB 993 amends Title 16 of the Georgia Code (which concerns offenses relating to minors in general), now providing for the offense of grooming a minor “for indecent purposes.” This is separate from the crime of child molestation. The bill encompasses grooming both in-person and online, and determines that a person over 18 and no less than 48 months older than the alleged victim commits grooming when the person “knowingly and intentionally engaged in a pattern of conduct or communication in person; through a third party; through the use of an electronic device, a computer, social media, or text messages; or any other means to gain access to, to gain the compliance of, to prepare, to persuade, to induce, or to coerce a minor to engage in a sexual offense or trafficking of person for sexual servitude.”
The bill also protects against the sexual exploitation of minors using digitally altered material to make it appear as if a particular minor is engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Rep. Powell and Senator Hatchett were both present for the bill signing, along with First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp, an advocate for anti-human trafficking causes.
“When Marty told me these would be her top priorities during my administration, I knew those that profited from the pain of others were in big trouble. What I didn’t know is how many people across Georgia would join her in this fight and that together, we would turn our state from one of the hubs of human trafficking into a national leader in victims rights and putting criminals behind bars,” Governor Kemp said.
Two such constituents, Susan and Wayne Cobb, also watched as Governor Kemp signed HB 993 into law. Susan Cobb testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill on March 7, stating that their daughter had been the victim of grooming and sexual abuse (both in person and through electronic devices) by her gymnastics coach, beginning when she was 11 and ending at age 20. She said that her daughter eventually reported being abused. However, she added that the alleged perpetrator was released on bond, and that days later, her daughter was “pronounced dead by hanging.” The case has yet to go to trial.
Rep. Powell delivered additional remarks before Governor Kemp signed the bill into law.
“There were a number of drafts we had done, and thanks to the prosecuting attorneys’ council, we were able to perfect the bill. We hope that this bill will give prosecutors the opportunity to go after the worst predators there are,” Rep. Powell stated. “For that, I say thank you to this family.”
This law, along with others passed this session, will officially become effective on July 1.