DOVER — The state Senate voted unanimously Thursday to make the grooming of a child by an adult a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison.

Senate Bill 30 defines “grooming” as a pattern of conduct committed by an adult with a child who is at least four years younger, by which the adult intends to “persuade, induce, entice, or coerce” his or her way into “gaining access to and time alone with that child” — for the ultimate purpose of engaging in sex or other sex acts with the minor.

The grooming legislation “aims to close a gap” in the justice system to give aid to children in danger of abuse, said Sen. Nicole Poore, D- New Castle.

Minors being pursued by pedophiles “for the purpose of sexual contact oftentimes do not have anywhere to turn for relief from their predator, because there are no laws in place to take action against this kind of conduct,” she said.

A pattern of conduct, according to the bill, means “three or more separate incidents that a reasonable person would find inappropriate, in isolation or collectively, given the nature and circumstances of the relationship between the person and the child.”

“Inappropriate” acts include bathing or tickling a child; commenting to a child about their sexual or physical development; and granting “special privileges” to a child such as car rides to school.

“I strongly believe that our law enforcement and our prosecutors will be better equipped to help victims and their families who find themselves in this horrible situation,” Sen. Poore said of the bill, should it become law.

For that to happen, the legislation will have to make it out of committee in the House of Representatives, where the bill heads next.