Pennsylvania state House recently approved a bill that would establish criminal penalties for minors who engage in sexting. Misdemeanor charges under the bill would be less severe than the felony child pornography laws that currently apply to sexting.

The law would apply to minors who take, view, possess or transmit sexually explicit photographs of themselves; or photograph, view or possess photos of another minor engaged in sexually explicit behavior.

Felony charges would still be possible if photos of another person — not the minor himself or herself — are disseminated.

The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the bill was an unconstitutional infringement on free speech. House Bill 2189 was sent to the state Senate.

Source: Pa. House OKs penalizing ‘sexting’ minors, timesleader.com, June 30, 2010

Tags: Pennsylvania, sexting, legislation