INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) An Indiana lawmaker has introduced legislation that would update how the state enforces age of consent laws, according to WSBT. State Senator Mike Bohacek is sponsoring a bill that would make it a criminal offense for anyone age 25 or older to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, including individuals who are 16 or 17 years old. Indiana’s current age of consent is 16. Bohacek told WSBT the proposal is intended to address predatory relationships and give parents additional tools to intervene when large age gaps are involved. The legislation would also apply to sexual conduct committed online and includes provisions allowing judges to impose harsher sentences if evidence shows a repeated pattern of behavior. The senator says the age thresholds were chosen to avoid unintended consequences while still addressing concerns involving adults and minors. The bill would treat repeated or patterned behavior as a sentencing aggravator rather than creating separate offenses for each incident. The proposal was introduced following renewed attention to sexual exploitation cases nationwide and is part of a broader effort by lawmakers to update criminal statutes to reflect changes in technology and communication. The bill is currently awaiting consideration by the Indiana Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law. No hearing date has been announced. The post Senator Introduces Bill Updating Age of Consent Enforcement appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less