Hassan signs "revenge porn" bill

On Thursday, May 19 Gov. Maggie Hassan signed SB 465, a bill that criminalizes so-called "revenge porn."

Specifically, SB 465 makes it a class B felony to share an image of a person engaged in a sexual act "with the intent to harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the depicted person."

"These photos and videos that were once sent willingly to a partner when the relationship was loving, mutual and ongoing, have been used to literally wreck the other person’s life or to create a situation where he or she loses his or her job ... This type of reprehensible crime is being committed with more and more frequency and it affects people at every level of social strata," said Rep. Len DiSesa.  "Twenty-six states have already enacted similar legislation and it is well-tested."

Opponents point out that victims of nonconsensual pornography may already sue offenders for compensation, and a felony-level offense is excessive.

"Shouldn't personal responsibility come into play here?" Ian Freeman testified at a Senate hearing. "I mean, if you don't want your image to be distributed without your consent, don't get naked in front of a camera."

On the other end of the spectrum, some argue that the law should include "reckless" dissemination of sexual images, not just "intentional," and any lawbreakers should have to register as sex offenders.

Do you support SB 465?  Let us know in the comments.