Bill > HB2196

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "harmful communication with a minor" which criminalizes a pattern of written or verbal communication that includes explicit and detailed descriptions of sexual conduct when the communicator is at least 18 years old and the communication causes harm to a minor under 18 years old. The offense is classified as a Class C felony, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $125,000. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it is not a defense for the offender to claim they did not know the minor's age, reasonably believed the minor was 18 or older, or that the minor misrepresented their age. The bill also references Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 163.472 for the definition of "sexual conduct" and amends the existing Oregon Criminal Code to include this new section, ensuring it is part of the comprehensive legal framework for criminal offenses in the state.

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https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2196