SB 139

Under this bill, it is a Class H felony to have sexual contact with an animal, to

promote or otherwise participate in sexual contact with animals, to create, possess,

or distribute obscene material depicting a person engaged in sexual contact with an

animal, or to advertise, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain an animal for the

purpose of having sexual contact with the animal. In addition, it is a Class F felony

to force, coerce, entice, or encourage a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual

contact with an animal or a Class G felony if the child is over the age of 13 but under

the age of 18. It is also a Class F felony to have sexual contact with an animal in the

presence of a child under the age of 13 or a Class G felony if the child is over the age

of 13 but under the age of 18. In addition, all felony classifications are increased for

second or subsequent violations.

Under current law, it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person to commit an act

of sexual gratification involving his or her sex organ and the sex organ, mouth, or

anus of an animal, or involving his or her sex organ, mouth, anus, or other body part

and the sex organ of an animal.

Under current law, a person may be required to register as a sex offender for

certain crimes that are sexually motivated if the judge determines that it would be

in the interest of public protection to have the person register. Under this bill, the

new offense of bestiality would be subject to this provision.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report.