Bill > HB1351

This bill amends North Dakota law to expand and clarify provisions related to sexually expressive images, broadening the definition to include real, altered, or computer-generated images and establishing new legal protections for individuals whose images are shared without consent. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for addressing the unauthorized creation, possession, and distribution of sexually expressive images, making such actions criminal misdemeanors with varying degrees of severity depending on the intent and circumstances. It introduces a new civil cause of action for individuals who suffer harm from the non-consensual distribution of their images, allowing them to seek damages including economic and non-economic compensation, statutory damages up to $10,000, monetary gains made by the defendant, and potentially exemplary damages. The bill also provides important protections for internet service providers, clarifying that they cannot be held liable for content posted by others, and ensures that victims can pursue legal action while maintaining privacy through redacted court documents. Notably, the legislation does not preclude other legal remedies and applies to a wide range of scenarios involving sexually expressive images, with specific considerations for images involving minors and different contexts of image creation and distribution.