The bill amends Section 11-64-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-64, titled "Electronic Imaging Devices," to establish the offense of unauthorized dissemination of sexually explicit visual images. It introduces new legal language that criminalizes the intentional dissemination, publication, or sale of visual images depicting identifiable individuals aged eighteen or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct or showing their intimate areas, particularly if these images were created by digital devices or without the consent of the depicted person. The bill outlines specific conditions under which this offense occurs, including the requirement that the images were obtained under circumstances where privacy was expected, and it specifies the penalties for violations, which range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the number of offenses.

Additionally, the bill includes several exceptions to the offense, such as images voluntarily exposed in public settings or disseminated for public interest, scientific, or educational purposes. It also establishes penalties for threats to disclose such images for personal gain and for demanding payment to remove these images from public view. Importantly, individuals convicted under this section will not be subject to sex offender registration requirements. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
136: 11-64-3