STATEHOUSE (January 24, 2013) – The Indiana Senate voted unanimously today to pass State Sen. Phil Boots’ (R-Crawfordsville) legislation toughening Indiana’s child seduction law.

Senate Bill 53 makes it a crime for any adult who has a professional relationship with a 16- or 17-year-old to engage in sexual behavior with the teenager, even though the age of consent in Indiana is 16. The current child seduction law only applies to two specific professions: school officials and military recruiters.

“Indiana’s original child seduction law, though clearly well intentioned, was too limited in its scope and not fully protecting those it was designed to help,” Boots said.  “I thank my colleagues for supporting this common-sense initiative to close loopholes in the law and help stop professionals from engaging in inappropriate conduct with young Hoosiers under their care and guidance.”

After a 47-0 vote in the Senate, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. For an up-to-date copy of Boots’ bill, click here.

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A high-resolution photo of Boots is now available in the Caucus Photo Gallery at http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_republicans/2355.htm