GA SB542

Adds "clergy member" to Georgia's improper sexual contact statute, allowing criminal prosecution of ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, and other spiritual leaders who engage in sexual misconduct with individuals under their pastoral counseling or spiritual authority

Defines "clergy member" broadly to include licensed or unlicensed individuals who represent themselves as spiritual leaders or who provide spiritual guidance, pastoral counseling, religious instruction, or spiritual direction in relationships of trust, confidence, or dependency

Creates first-degree offense (sexually explicit conduct) punishable by 1-25 years imprisonment and up to $100,000 fine; increases to 10-30 years if victim is under 16, or 25-50 years if victim is under 16 and physically injured or sodomy is involved

Creates second-degree offense (sexual contact excluding sexually explicit conduct) punishable as high and aggravated misdemeanor; increases to 5-25 years and up to $25,000 fine if victim is under 16

Establishes that victim consent is not a defense to prosecution, and prior sexual felony offenders convicted under this statute face life imprisonment or split sentence with lifetime probation and electronic monitoring