The Kentucky Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill on Thursday that would penalize the distribution of “revenge porn” without consent.
Under House Bill 71, distribution of sexually explicit images without consent would be a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for subsequent offenses.
If the sexually explicit images are distributed for “profit or gain,” then it would be a Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for subsequent offenses.
A person would be guilty of distribution when sexually explicit material is distributed to any third party without written consent of the person depicted.
Images involving public sexual conduct or nudity would not be protected.
The bill would also not apply to Internet service providers or telecommunications services.
The bill will now head to the Senate.
