Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Intimate Image Civil Action topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Subcommittee approves civil remedy for nonconsensual intimate-image distribution
Summary
House Bill 20-12, which creates a civil action for unlawful distribution of intimate images taken with consent but later distributed without consent, passed the subcommittee unanimously after legal counsel clarified the bill's definition of 'intimate image.'
Chairlady Littleton said HB 20-12 would permit a civil action for victims whose intimate images—photographs, videos or social-media broadcasts taken with consent—are distributed without consent. Representative Johnson raised a question about the statutory definition of "intimate image," and the committee went out of session to hear from legal counsel.
Michelle Fogarty of legal services explained the bill defines "intimate image" as a photograph, video recording or social-media broadcast of an identifiable person showing intimate parts or engaged in explicit conduct, taken with consent and distributed without consent. After the legal explanation, the committee voted to send HB 20-12 to judiciary (7 ayes, 0 nos).
Supporters said the bill fills a gap for victims seeking civil remedies for harms that sometimes arise from nonconsensual online distribution of intimate material.
