DE HB256

Creates new offense of "promoting sexual solicitation of a child" (§1112B) where a person 18+ intentionally promotes, entices, or encourages a child to engage in prohibited sexual acts, or uses electronic devices to solicit others to commit such acts with a child.

Expands "sexual solicitation of a child" (§1112A) to include using computers, cellular phones, or electronic devices to solicit, request, or entice a child to engage in prohibited sexual acts.

Defines "child" for both offenses to include individuals under 18, those who represent themselves as under 18, or those the offender believes to be under 18 years old.

Increases penalties: sexual solicitation and promoting sexual solicitation are Class C felonies generally, but elevated to Class B felonies when the defendant meets in person or attempts to meet in person with a child for prohibited sexual acts.

Clarifies that it is not a defense that the prohibited sexual act did not occur or that the offender was engaged in fantasy or role-playing at the time of the offense.