HB 1242 Summary

• Establishes the criminal offense of "sexual assault of an animal" as a class C felony, or class B felony if the offense involved a minor or was committed in the presence of a minor.

• Defines sexual contact with animals to include contact between sex organs or anus of a person and animal, touching/fondling of animal genitals or anus, transmission of semen, or any insertion into vaginal or anal openings.

• Prohibits multiple related activities including subjecting animals to sexual contact, possessing animals with intent to subject them to sexual contact, organizing or participating in animal sexual abuse, and advertising animals for sexual purposes.

• Upon conviction, requires defendants to forfeit the animal to humane societies, surrender other animals if substantial evidence of abuse exists, be prohibited from owning/possessing animals or residing in households with animals for at least five years, attend treatment programs, and reimburse care costs and owner restitution.

• Exempts veterinary medicine, artificial insemination for procreation, animal husbandry, and conformation judging from criminal liability under this section.