Senate Bill 2022 Summary

• Raises the minimum age for statutory rape prosecution from 17 to 21 years old for individuals having sexual intercourse with children aged 14-15 who are at least 36 months younger.

• Adds a "Romeo and Juliet" exemption allowing persons aged 17-20 to have sexual intercourse with children aged 14-15 without criminal responsibility if the age difference is less than 48 months.

• Modifies sexual battery law to allow discretionary sentencing (rather than mandatory 30-year imprisonment) for defendants aged 13-20 who are not more than 48 months older than the child victim.

• Requires courts to issue criminal sexual assault protection orders upon conviction, with orders remaining in effect for at least two years after sentence completion and violation carrying a maximum penalty of $500 fine or six months jail time.

• Effective date July 1, 2018.