The Senate Judiciary Committee has forwarded a bill to the Senate that would criminalize sexual intercourse and other sex acts be tween youths age 16 to 17 and partners 10 or more years older.
The law would not apply to married couples. Sen. LeRay McAllister, R-Orem, said he introduced the legislation after he was contacted by a constituent whose 17-year-old son had been seduced by a 32-year-old woman.The boy's father testified earlier that he had moved to Utah from New York and was "shocked to find out how lax the laws are in Utah." The incident would have constituted a felony there, he said.
McAllister said the bill is intended to protect older teenagers, regardless of gender. "These victims are not able to feel a degree of independence. They're under the control of the older actor. They really are victims."
McAllister agreed to amend his bill to make it consistent with HB72, which establishes the crime of sexual abuse of a minor.