The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1333 authored by Reps. Speedy and Stutzman on nonconsensual pornography. The bill defines “intimate image” and makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a person to distribute or display an intimate image of an individual whom the person knows or reasonably should know does not consent to the distribution or display of the intimate image. Increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony for a second or subsequent offense.
The bill was amended by consent to redefine the crime, remove the term “display” and negligence standard language. Testimony was presented in support of the bill by the City of Fishers and a victim of the behavior addressed by the bill, and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association. Testimony was presented by the Motion Picture Association of America concerning necessary language to meet constitutional challenges. The Indiana Public Defender Council presented testimony in opposition to the bill. The amended bill passed by a vote of 9 – 1.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1333.