Relates to expanding the crime of public lewdness

• Democratic27
• Republican5

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

Sexual harassment harms an individual's health and mental well-being and even has economic impacts. This "cyber flashing" has been frequently reported on mass transit and at significant events in attempts to mask the sender's identity. There is no rational reason that an individual should be sharing intimate images without consent from the receiver; with the advancement and wide adoption of Near Field Communication devices and Bluetooth file-sharing services like Airdrop, unsolicited intimate image sharing has become more commonplace. "Cyber flashing" has also been reported by users of online dating platforms, such as Tinder and Bumble. In April 2019, Wolfe Herd estimated That 78% of millennial women have received an unwanted intimate image. Most people who have received explicit unsolicited messages feel disgusted and unsafe. Howev- er, for some individuals with a history of sexual trauma, these unsolic- ited sexual images may trigger emotional distress. An individual convicted of this crime may be subject to a term of impri- sonment of up to 15 days and may also be court-ordered to take sexual harassment training. Having such training as an accessible option will teach individuals the importance of consent and personal boundaries. Whether in public or within private conversations, it is unacceptable for unsuspecting individuals to be harassed with lewd, nude photos. Both Texas and South Carolina have outlawed this practice. Ultimately, this will dissuade those seeking to harass others with nude photos and ensure accountability for those who choose to send unsolicited intimate images.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.