WY HB0009

Creates new criminal offense of "grooming of a minor for a sexual offense" under W.S. 6-2-321, targeting adults 18+ who are at least 4 years older than the victim and engage in manipulative behavior to prepare minors for sexual conduct

Establishes tiered penalties based on victim age: up to 5 years imprisonment/$10,000 fine for victims 16+; up to 10 years/$10,000 for victims 12-16; up to 15 years/$15,000 for victims under 12

Doubles penalties when offender holds position of authority over the victim: up to 10 years for victims 16+; up to 20 years/$20,000 for victims 12-16; up to 30 years/$30,000 for victims under 12

Requires convicted offenders to complete a sexual offender treatment program approved by the Department of Corrections and subjects them to probation up to 10 years

Adds grooming offense to sex offender registry requirements and excludes it from deferred adjudication eligibility alongside murder, sexual assault, and other serious felonies