Arizona Senate Committee Approves 'Revenge Porn' Bill

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Thursday, March 20, 2014 - 1:34pm
Updated: Thursday, March 20, 2014 - 3:08pm
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(Photo courtesy of the Arizona State Legislature)
Republican House Speaker J.D. Mesnard

An Arizona Senate committee has approved a bill aimed at stopping jilted lovers from posting explicit pictures of their former flames online to get revenge. HB2515 would make it a felony to post nude photos of a person without their written consent. Chandler Republican J.D. Mesnard said this kind of abuse has mushroomed because of the smart phone.

"Just this morning I was called by a young woman who was the victim of revenge porn, trying to figure out what to do (and) was thanking me for this bill and, as it has moved forward, we’re seeing more and more folks come forward on this issue," Mesnard said.

Many state legislatures are considering bills in response to the posting of revenge porn which has been made easier by the growth of social networking sites. The American Civil Liberties Union is concerned the legislation will limit free speech. The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee.