AR HB1777

Adds "bribing or attempting to bribe" a child 13 years or younger as a new method of committing the offense of sexually grooming a child under Arkansas Code § 5-27-307

Defines "bribe" as offering or withholding property, gifts, goods, or services to gain a child's acceptance, cooperation, or compliance for sexual purposes

Sexually grooming a child is a Class D felony if the offender is 21 years or older, or a Class A misdemeanor if under 21

Provides an affirmative defense if the actor was not more than 3 years older than the victim

Eliminates mistake of age as a defense—not knowing the child's age or believing they were 14 or older does not excuse the offense