Minnesota Grooming Bill Nears House Floor After Survivor Testimony

Hannah LoPresto's story of being groomed and sexually assaulted by former Eagan High School band director Brett Benson ignited HF 3489, a bill elevating grooming to a felony offense. Republican Rep. Peggy Bennett, who says she endured similar grooming in high school, sponsors the measure, which the House Education Policy Committee approved before sending it to Public Safety Finance and Policy.[1][4] Survivor LoPresto testified that criminalizing grooming prevents escalation to assault and acknowledges its profound harm to children.[1][2] The bill precisely defines grooming as an adult knowingly engaging in a pattern of conduct to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child into unlawful sexual conduct for sexual gratification.[1] It requires training for mandatory reporters and prohibits teachers, contractors and volunteers from being alone with students on field trips, though some committee members flagged potential issues with that provision.[1] Detective Chad Clausen, who investigated LoPresto's case, stressed to lawmakers: "You cannot accidentally groom a child. Grooming is the deliberate process of building a false sense of trust."[3] The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee unanimously advanced the bill March 11, 2026, focusing on its felony charge provision.[4] On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved it despite its $1.45 million annual cost to the Department of Education for more investigators and $48,000 for prison beds over three years.[3] The measure now awaits a full House vote, potentially next week, with a companion bill progressing in the Senate.[3]