US EditionMinnesota Bill that Would Make Grooming a Felony Unanimously Passes House
The measure would make child grooming a felony and add new reporting and licensing penalties after testimony from a survivor and lawmakers.
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Minnesota House unanimously passed HF3489, creating a new felony for child grooming. The bill establishes stricter educator licensing rules and mandatory abuse reporting requirements to protect students.
- Hannah LoPresto shared her story of manipulation by her high school band director, inspiring the legislation. Supported by Eagan Police Department Detective Chad Clausen, LoPresto highlighted how state law gaps allowed her perpetrator to evade justice.
- Minnesota Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, authored the bill after recognizing similarities to her own experience as a 10th-grader groomed by her band director. "It's kind of like the generations coming together," Bennett said.
- Republican Rep. Ben Bakeberg stated, "Kids in the future are going to be safer because Hannah has shared her story," reflecting bipartisan support. The bill now proceeds to the Senate Rules and Administration committee.
- Before the bill reaches Gov. Tim Walz, it must clear a Senate floor vote and potential language revisions. The legislation addresses a grooming problem persisting for 50 years through stricter school field trip supervision rules.
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14 Articles
Post Bulletin
‘This is still a problem in our schools’: Minnesota House passes anti-grooming bill
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House passed an anti-grooming bill, in hopes of protecting students in the future. Before the bill passed Monday, April 27, the author of the bill shared how it came to be. “I really don’t believe it was by accident,” said Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea. Bennett received an email from a reporter last fall asking lawmakers for comments on a series about the sexual grooming of students. “I happen to be the only legislato…
Minnesota bill that would make grooming a felony unanimously passes House
A law to make grooming a felony in Minnesota is closer to reality. House members unanimously passed the bill on Monday. The move follows a WCCO Investigative series where Hannah LoPresto shared what she calls grooming and sexual assault by her high school band director.
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