Wyoming Bill Would Create New Crimes for Sexting, Possessing Nude Images of Minors
A legislative committee has approved a bill that would hold Wyoming's youth accountable for sending nude pictures of themselves to others as well as a number of other acts involving taking, possessing and disseminating nude images of other minors.
House Bill 238 was amended and recommended out of the House Minerals Committee by an 8-1 vote before being placed on general file Monday.
The proposal would add to state statute by creating the new crimes of dissemination or possession of a nude image of a minor by a minor in the first, second and third degrees, respectively.
The bill's language would apply to any minor who "sells, distributes, delivers, provides, publishes, transmits, texts, emails, exhibits or otherwise makes available to another person" a nude image of a minor who is at least 12 years old.
Under the measure, minors who disseminate a nude image of themselves or possess a nude image of another minor who is at least 12 years old would be guilty of dissemination or possession of a nude image of a minor in the third degree.
An exception is made if the minor came into possession of the image inadvertently and tried to destroy the image or notify a person in a position of authority of its existence.
A minor would be guilty of the crime in the second degree if they knowingly disseminate a nude image of another minor who is at least 12 years old.
First degree dissemination or possession of a nude image of a minor would mean a minor disseminates or threatens to disseminate a nude image of another minor who is at least 12 years old without that minor's consent, or captures a nude image of another minor who is at least 12 years old without the knowledge and consent of that minor.
Minors convicted under the third-degree section of the proposal would be guilty of a status offense and face up to a $250 fine.
Conviction in the second degree would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in a juvenile detention facility and a fine of $500.
First-degree dissemination or possession of a nude image of a minor would also be a misdemeanor. A convicted minor could face up to six months in a juvenile detention facility and a fine of $750.
Should it become law, the measure would go into effect July 1.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cathy Connolly (D-Laramie).