A new state law will go into effect soon, making grooming of a child a criminal offense. Lawmakers say this legislation is a proactive measure to protect children before an inappropriate relationship goes too far. First, the state had to define child grooming. “It’s a pattern of conduct or a series of messages that a reasonable adult can look at and say, ‘Wait a minute. This is not just your normal, typical teacher-student messaging back and forth,’” said Senator Joey Fillingane, (R-Dist. 41).
