IL HB5293

Creates the criminal offense of "failure to report grooming of a child" for adults 18 or older who personally observe grooming between an adult and a child under 17 and knowingly fail to report it to law enforcement

First violation is a Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violations are Class 4 felonies

Requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to conduct a Grooming Awareness Public Educational and Outreach Program, potentially in partnership with organizations like the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) or Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)

Provides affirmative defense for witnesses who reasonably feared imminent death, great bodily harm, or permanent injury to themselves or others in retaliation for reporting

Exempts from prosecution those who report through the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, to mandated reporters, or who assist with investigation and prosecution of the offender