STATEHOUSE (April 1, 2019) – A bill authored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) that would help reduce nonconsensual pornography, also known as “revenge porn,” today passed the House of Representatives unanimously.
Senate Enrolled Act 192 would define “intimate image” and create a civil cause of action against a person who discloses an intimate image of another ¬— without his or her consent — in order to harass, intimidate, threaten, coerce, embarrass, profit at the expense of, or cause physical injury or emotional distress to the depicted person.
SEA 192 would also allow victims to recover the greater of economic and noneconomic damages or statutory damages up to $10,000.
“In a bout of rage, people sometimes make poor decisions that can cause others great harm,” Alting said. “The increased usage of technology within our society has amplified the opportunities to unjustly harass, intimidate and embarrass others. This bill would allow us to adapt to these changes and help protect victims as well as prevent people from destroying the reputation of others.”
This bill would also provide that an interactive computer service is not liable for disclosing nonconsensual pornography.
SEA 192 will now be considered by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
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For a high-resolution photo of Alting, click here.
