1. (a) As used in this section, "solicit" means to command, authorize, urge, incite, request, lure, entice, or advise an individual:

   1. (1) in person;
   2. (2) by telephone or wireless device;
   3. (3) in writing;
   4. (4) by using a computer network (as defined in IC 35-43-2-3 (a));
   5. (5) by advertisement of any kind; or

   6. (6) by any other means;

      to perform an act described in subsection (b) or (c).

2. (b) A person eighteen (18) years of age or older who knowingly or intentionally solicits a child under fourteen (14) years of age, or an individual the person believes to be a child under fourteen (14) years of age, to engage in sexual intercourse, other sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-221.5 ), or any fondling or touching intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the older person, commits child solicitation, a Level 5 felony. However, the offense is a Level 4 felony if the person solicits the child or individual the person believes to be a child under fourteen (14) years of age to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-221.5 ) and:

   1. (1) commits the offense by using a computer network (as defined in IC 35-43-2-3 (a)) and travels to meet the child or individual the person believes to be a child; or
   2. (2) has a previous unrelated conviction for committing an offense under this section.

3. (c) A person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who knowingly or intentionally solicits a child at least fourteen (14) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age, or an individual the person believes to be a child at least fourteen (14) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age, to engage in sexual intercourse, other sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-221.5 ), or any fondling or touching intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the older person, commits child solicitation, a Level 5 felony. However, the offense is a Level 4 felony if the person solicits the child or individual the person believes to be a child at least fourteen (14) but less than sixteen (16) years of age to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-221.5 ), and:

   1. (1) commits the offense by using a computer network (as defined in IC 35-43-2-3 (a)) and travels to meet the child or individual the person believes to be a child; or
   2. (2) has a previous unrelated conviction for committing an offense under this section.
4. (d) In a prosecution under this section, including a prosecution for attempted solicitation, the state is not required to prove that the person solicited the child to engage in an act described in subsection (b) or (c) at some immediate time.

As added by P.L.183-1984, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.11-1994, SEC.16; P.L.79-1994, SEC.14; P.L.216-1996, SEC.20; P.L.118-2002, SEC.2; P.L.124-2005, SEC.1; P.L.216-2007, SEC.44; P.L.158-2013, SEC.442; P.L.247-2013, SEC.7; P.L.168-2014, SEC.70; P.L.133-2023, SEC.12.