Bill > S0207

This bill amends the existing Rhode Island statute on child pornography by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" throughout the law. The bill maintains the existing legal framework but updates the terminology to more accurately reflect the serious nature of the offense. The law continues to prohibit producing, mailing, transferring, reproducing, or possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, with specific definitions for key terms like "minor" (under 18), "sexually explicit conduct", and "identifiable minor". The penalties remain unchanged, with potential fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment up to 15 years for producing or transferring such material, and up to 5 years for possession. The bill also preserves existing affirmative defenses, such as when the material involves only adult performers or when a small number of images are promptly destroyed or reported to law enforcement. The change in terminology aims to emphasize that such material represents actual sexual abuse of children, rather than using a potentially less impactful term like "pornography". The act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Justice

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