HB161, sponsored by Rep. Richard Greenwood, would make such an attempt a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.

"There is nothing against the law if you're on the sex offender registry to walk up to a person who's under the age of 14 and ask that person to come with them," said Greenwood, R-Roy.

He said the issue came to his attention after the Sanpete County sheriff had reports about a sex offender trying to coax children into his motor home. Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme told the committee his department has had similar incidents.

"Anything we can do to stop a predator, we need to do," he said, noting the frustration officers feel when they get calls from parents and are unable to act. - Robert Gehrke

HB161

Would make an attempt by convicted child predators to entice minors to go with them a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.

Tightening laws against predators

Illegal for offenders to lure minors?