AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill that plugs a loophole in Maine law that protects children from sexual abuse has been signed into law by Gov. Paul LePage.
The law, which was signed Friday by the governor, creates a new crime of verbally soliciting a child to commit a prohibited sexual act.
Maine’s current law prohibits a person from using a computer to solicit a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act. But no such prohibition exists if the solicitation is not performed with the use of a computer.
The bill addressing that lapse was sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Barry Hobbins of Saco.
Sounds like LePage has been watching “To catch a predator” lately. Either way, I agree with this bill he signed.
What really needs a plug ‘is the key hole in the jail cell doors of sexual offenders.
It took this long to make this a crime
Is there a list of what exactly constitutes “verbally soliciting”? And what is the age range this law covers? If an adult makes a pass at a 17 year old not knowing the true age, is this law broken? I like the intent of this law, but I’d like to know the details. I’d also like the link to the law in these stories online…
I believe the age of consent in Maine is 16, so, if I had to guess, I’d say it covers up to the age of 16.
Hmmm…interesting. Thanks for the info!
Ask and you shall receive:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/SP057201.asp
§ 262. Verbal solicitation of child to commit a prohibited act
1. A person is guilty of verbally soliciting a child to commit a prohibited act if: A. The actor:
(1) Is at least 16 years of age;
(2) Knows or believes that the other person is less than 14 years of age; and
(3) Is at least 3 years older than the expressed age of the other person; and
B. The actor expresses to the other person the intent to engage in any one of the following prohibited acts with that person:
(1) A sexual act;
(2) Sexual contact; or
(3) Sexual exploitation of a minor pursuant to section 282.
Violation of this subsection is a Class D crime.
2. A person is guilty of verbally soliciting a child to commit a prohibited act if: A. The actor:
(1) Is at least 16 years of age;
(2) Knows or believes that the other person is less than 12 years of age; and
(3) Is at least 3 years older than the expressed age of the other person; and
B. The actor expresses to the other person the intent to engage in any one of the following prohibited acts with that person:
(1) A sexual act;
(2) Sexual contact; or
(3) Sexual exploitation of a minor pursuant to section 282.
Violation of this subsection is a Class C crime.
Ha! Great! Thanks for looking this up!
So they’re finally making it illegal to break the law. That should end the problem.
Thanks Gov. LePage, job well done!