Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen bill to combat child sexual exploitation advances in state House
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Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen bill to combat child sexual exploitation advances in state House
In a key move to strengthen protections against child sexual exploitation, the state House Community Safety Committee approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, R-Puyallup.
House Bill 2146 closes a gap in current law by making it a class B felony to cause a minor child to view sexually explicit conduct and then record or livestream the child’s reaction.
Jacobsen sponsored the bill after hearing about Washington children who were exploited in this way.
“People engage in terrible behavior in front of a child and put it out on the internet,” said Jacobsen. “We need to end this grooming behavior that sexualizes innocent children and often leads to even greater harm.”
Abusers may groom child victims by gaining their trust, isolating them from others, and desensitizing them to sexual conduct before they ever touch them.
Pierce County deputy prosecutors testified that, under current law, they can only charge perpetrators with a misdemeanor, unless the abuser had been convicted of a previous felony sexual offense.
Under HB 2146, offenders will be subject to a maximum of 10 years in prison, up from the 90-day maximum currently imposed by a judge.
“HB 2146 gives prosecutors the tools they need to investigate and prosecute the people responsible for these despicable crimes against children,” said Jacobsen. “My bill will also help keep the child safe from more abuse by keeping the offender behind bars for longer.”
The state House of Representatives has until Feb. 17 to act further on the bill.
The 60-day 2026 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on March 12.
