CURRAN’S INITIATIVE RESULTS IN NEW LAW TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL PREDATORS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr.’s initiative and advocacy has resulted in a new law that will help protect children from sexual predators. Senate Bill 512, one of the bills passed on the final day of the legislative session, makes it a crime to solicit a minor by computer, telephone, or any other means, to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. The bill also permits prosecution if the person solicited was believed to be a minor, but in actuality was an undercover police officer.

" The majority of states have legislation prohibiting soliciting or enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct," Curran said. "Maryland can now similarly protect its children from such solicitations during their daily activities, such as using the computer or walking home from school. This legislation will protect our children by allowing sexual predators to be charged and prosecuted based on the act of solicitation, rather than having to wait until a child is physically harmed."

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