HB1242 Summary

• Establishes a new criminal offense of "sexual assault of an animal" as a Class C felony, or Class B felony if the offense involved a minor or occurred in a minor's presence.

• Defines sexual contact with animals to include contact between sex organs or anus involving mouth, anus, or sex organs; fondling of sex organs or anus; transfer of semen; or insertion of body parts or objects into vaginal or anal openings.

• Prohibits specific conduct including subjecting animals to sexual contact, acquiring animals for sexual purposes, organizing or participating in animal sexual abuse, and advertising animals for sexual contact.

• Exempts veterinary medicine, artificial insemination for procreation, animal husbandry, and conformation judging from the prohibition.

• Requires convicted offenders to forfeit animals, reimburse care costs, attend treatment programs, be prohibited from owning animals or living in households with animals for at least five years, and make restitution to animal owners.