§ 35-42-4-12 — Sex offender Internet offense

(a) This section applies only to a sex
offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-4.5).
(b) A sex offender who knowingly or intentionally violates a:
(1) condition of probation;
(2) condition of parole; or
(3) rule of a community transition program;
that prohibits the offender from using a social networking web site or
an instant messaging or chat room program to communicate with a
child less than sixteen (16) years of age commits a sex offender Internet
offense, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Level 6
felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.
(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (b) that the
person reasonably believed that the child was at least sixteen (16) years
of age.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.119-2008, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.247-2013, SEC.8; P.L.158-2013, SEC.448; P.L.168-2014, SEC.73; P.L.5-2022, SEC.4.