House approves bill to criminalize nonconsensual sharing of explicit digital images

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Feb. 27 passed House Bill 5046, an act that would criminalize the unauthorized dissemination of sexually explicit images created with digital devices or shared without the subject’s consent, voting 61 in favor and 7 opposed.

Supporters said the bill updates criminal law to address harms caused by digital distribution of private images. Vice Chairwoman McEntee, speaking on the floor, described the measure as “a good bill” and moved its passage on behalf of the sponsor, Vice Chair Knight.

The bill’s text, as read into the record, would make it a criminal offense to disseminate explicit images of another person that were created by digital devices or were shared without the depicted person’s consent. The committee reported the bill to the full House and members moved and seconded passage from the floor.

Representative Ajelo said he would oppose the bill, repeating his opposition from the prior year. “As I did last year on this bill, I will vote against,” Ajelo said on the floor, adding that in some cases “there was no wrong, evil, bad intent associated with that, with the sharing of that photo.” Ajelo’s remarks were the only recorded substantive objection during floor debate.

Clerk-reported roll-call results showed 61 votes in the affirmative and 7 in the negative; the presiding officer announced, “The act prevails,” sending the bill forward according to legislative procedure.

The House record names Vice Chair Knight as sponsor and shows Vice Chair McEntee presenting the measure to the chamber. The transcript does not record further amendments, implementation language, or a specific effective date for the statute.