(FRANKFORT, Ky.) — The Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation Tuesday that would criminalize child grooming, marking what advocates say is a critical shift toward preventing abuse before it happens.
House Bill 4, sponsored by Representative Marianne Proctor, addresses what child safety experts describe as a dangerous gap in current law by targeting the deliberate process offenders use to build trust and emotional control over children prior to physical abuse.
“Grooming is often the earliest warning sign of abuse and recognizing it in law allows for earlier intervention and stronger accountability,” said Jill Seyfred, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, in a statement released Tuesday.
Under existing Kentucky law, authorities largely can only act after abuse has already occurred, even when predatory behavior patterns are evident. The new legislation would empower law enforcement and prosecutors to intervene when grooming is identified, particularly in cases involving adults in positions of trust.
The bill defines grooming as the deliberate process by which an offender builds trust, access, and emotional control over a child, often long before any physical contact occurs.
Key provisions of HB 4 include criminalizing grooming behavior before abuse takes place, providing clear legal tools for early intervention, and ensuring that professionals who exploit children face accountability and cannot simply move to another position.
“Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky urges the Senate to pass HB 4, because Kentucky’s children deserve protection before it’s too late,” Seyfred said.
The bill now moves to the Kentucky Senate for consideration.
