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Committee advances bill to criminalize sexual extortion and strengthen penalties for synthetic explicit media
Summary
H 727 would create a specific crime for sexual extortion and enhance penalties for disclosing explicit synthetic media, with sponsors emphasizing child protection; the committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation after testimony from the Attorney General's Office.
Sen. Rabe told the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 11 that H 727 would make the threat of sexual extortion a crime and increase penalties, particularly in cases involving children. Sen. Lakey argued the offenses currently classified as misdemeanors should be treated as felonies given their nature.
Rep. Green described how communities are affected and said these crimes have correlated with an increase in victim suicides. Jeff Nye, chief of the Criminal Law Division at the Attorney General's Office, testified in support and said the office now tracks sexual extortion as its own category because of increasing reports.
Sen. Toews moved to send H 727 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation; Sen. Den Hartog seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
