The bill amends Section 11-64-3 of the General Laws regarding "Unauthorized dissemination of indecent material" to criminalize the unauthorized dissemination of sexually explicit images of another person. It specifies that a person is guilty of this offense if they intentionally disseminate, publish, or sell such images created by a digital device or altered by digitization without the consent of the depicted individual, particularly if the images were created under circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the image was to remain private.

The bill includes provisions that clarify the definition of "intimate areas" and outlines penalties for violations, which may range from misdemeanors for first offenses to felonies for subsequent offenses. It also addresses threats to disclose such images for personal gain and demands for payment in exchange for removing the images from public view.

Exceptions to the offense are provided for images involving voluntary exposure in public settings or dissemination for public interest, scientific, or educational purposes. Importantly, individuals convicted under this section will not be subject to sex offender registration requirements. The act is set to take effect upon passage, reinforcing the legal framework against the non-consensual sharing of explicit images and enhancing protections for individuals' privacy rights.

Statutes affected:
355: 11-64-3