State Makes Sharing Explicit Images a Crime

Gov. Jim Justice has signed new laws to criminalize "revenge porn" and to establish a mechanism for reducing criminal records for non-violent felonies…

Gov. Jim Justice has signed new laws to criminalize “revenge porn” and to establish a mechanism for reducing criminal records for non-violent felonies down to misdemeanors.Prison Bars

The new crime laws are among dozens of measures the governor has signed so far this week following the Legislature’s 60-day regular session.

Other new laws will eliminate wage bond requirements, increase fines for littering, raise prison penalties for trafficking in fentanyl and set a $150 limit on fees charged by health care providers for patient records.

In West Virginia, it will be a misdemeanor to intentionally display publicly, distribute or threaten to disclose sexually explicit or intimate images of someone else without their consent.

A first offense is subject to a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and up to a year in jail.

Legislature Advances Curbs on Sharing Explicit Images

West Virginia's House has voted to make it a crime to publicly display, distribute or threaten to disclose sexually explicit or intimate images of someone…

West Virginia’s House has voted to make it a crime to publicly display, distribute or threaten to disclose sexually explicit or intimate images of someone else without their consent.

Judiciary Committee Chairman John Shott says the purpose is to criminalize “revenge porn.”

The Senate voted 31-0 in February to pass the bill.

It would establish a misdemeanor subject to fines of $1,000 to $5,000 and up to a year in jail.

A second offense would be a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

The House has amended it to include language on intent so it applies to public posting of those private images intended to harass, intimidate, threaten or profit from it.

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