Bill > HB572

This bill adds a new section to Pennsylvania's criminal code specifically addressing the unsolicited dissemination of intimate images, creating a new summary offense that makes it illegal to knowingly transmit, distribute, publish, or disseminate sexually explicit electronic images to a recipient without their express consent. The bill defines key terms such as "sexually explicit image" (which includes lewd visual depictions of body parts like genitals, breasts, or buttocks), "electronic communication," and "disseminate" (causing communication to two or more persons or devices). The offense applies when either the victim or offender is located in Pennsylvania, and it includes important exceptions for law enforcement officers performing official duties. The bill provides detailed definitions to clarify what constitutes an intimate or sexually explicit image, ensuring precise legal language. Violations will be treated as a summary offense, which is typically a lower-level legal infraction, suggesting the legislature views this as a serious but not felony-level violation. The law will take effect 60 days after its passage, giving time for public awareness and implementation.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=572