# Kentucky Secretary of State to sign child grooming bill into law  
**Published:** 2026-05-11T19:34:27Z  
**Source:** Kentucky House Majority Caucus (press release, emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-secretary-of-state-to-sign-child-grooming-bill-into-law

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams announced plans to hold a ceremonial signing Tuesday for [House Bill 4](https://legiscan.com/KY/bill/HB4/2026), legislation that criminalizes the sexual grooming of minors in the state for the first time.

[Rep. Marianne Proctor](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/IndividualSponsorPages/507.html), R-Union, who sponsored the measure, said the bill closes a significant gap in Kentucky law. [The legislation passed both chambers of the General Assembly with overwhelming support](https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/03/27/bill-criminalize-grooming-kentucky-passes-advocates-weigh/), [including unanimous House passage in February](https://pcaky.org/pcak-applauds-unanimous-house-passage-of-hb-4-to-protect-children/).

[The bill defines grooming as actions directed at a minor that are intended to establish an emotional connection through manipulation or trust building, with the goal of facilitating sexual conduct](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/01/14/kentucky-considers-making-child-grooming-felony-under-house-bill-4/).

Under the measure, [grooming would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor when the suspect is at least 18 years old and the victim is younger than 14](https://www.wdrb.com/news/politics/kentucky-lawmakers-advance-bill-to-make-child-grooming-a-felony/article_dffd0e21-2165-41e4-b797-6b2684e68b56.html). [For those in trusted positions such as teachers or coaches, grooming a minor is a Class D felony unless the minor is younger than 12, in which case it is a Class C felony](https://www.kentuckylantern.com/briefs/high-priority-anti-grooming-bill-advances-in-kentucky-legislature/).

According to Proctor's testimony before the committee, ["one in 10 children are sexually abused" in Kentucky](https://www.kentuckylantern.com/briefs/high-priority-anti-grooming-bill-advances-in-kentucky-legislature/). [The bill includes exceptions for legitimate professional communications with minors by teachers, doctors and other professionals](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/01/14/kentucky-considers-making-child-grooming-felony-under-house-bill-4/).

[Child advocates say the bill is long overdue, with Kentucky now joining a growing number of states with such legislation](https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/03/27/bill-criminalize-grooming-kentucky-passes-advocates-weigh/). [The legislation passed with bipartisan support, marking a shift from reactive to proactive intervention](https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/5870299-child-grooming-federal-law/).

The bill signing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Kentucky Secretary of State Office, 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, in Frankfort.

## Sources

- [Kentucky HB4 2026 legislative information](https://legiscan.com/KY/bill/HB4/2026)
- [Bill to criminalize grooming in Kentucky passes; advocates weigh in](https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/03/27/bill-criminalize-grooming-kentucky-passes-advocates-weigh/)
- [PCAK Applauds Unanimous House Passage of HB 4 to Protect Children](https://pcaky.org/pcak-applauds-unanimous-house-passage-of-hb-4-to-protect-children/)
- [Kentucky considers making child grooming a felony under House Bill 4](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/01/14/kentucky-considers-making-child-grooming-felony-under-house-bill-4/)
- [High priority anti-grooming bill advances in Kentucky legislature](https://www.kentuckylantern.com/briefs/high-priority-anti-grooming-bill-advances-in-kentucky-legislature/)
- [Kentucky lawmakers advance bill to make child grooming a felony](https://www.wdrb.com/news/politics/kentucky-lawmakers-advance-bill-to-make-child-grooming-a-felony/article_dffd0e21-2165-41e4-b797-6b2684e68b56.html)
- [Kentucky's Anti-Grooming Bill: A Model for Federal Law](https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/5870299-child-grooming-federal-law/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) from a press release emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news by Kentucky House Majority Caucus, enriched with 3 web searches.