The bill H.626 seeks to strengthen legal protections against voyeurism and the non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images. It introduces new criminal offenses, such as threatening to disclose images of individuals who are nude or engaged in sexual conduct with the intent to coerce them. The bill extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting voyeurism-related offenses to six years and eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions against individuals who disclose such images without consent, provided that the disclosure causes harm to the plaintiff. Additionally, it allows victims to recover damages for trauma-related disorders resulting from these disclosures.

Key amendments include the introduction of definitions for terms related to voyeurism, such as "unlawful viewing" and "unlawful photographing," which clarify illegal acts. The bill establishes penalties for violations, including imprisonment and fines, and provides a private cause of action for victims. Notably, it retroactively applies to violations occurring before July 1, 2026, regardless of existing statutes of limitations. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, providing a clearer timeline for victims to seek justice while maintaining existing limitations for other serious offenses.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 13-2605, 13-2606, 13-4501