A new sexting law will hit the books by the end of the year. It prevents teens from becoming registered sex offenders just because they sent a racy photo.
Right now, teenagers can be charged as felons for sending an explicit sexual photograph.
The new legislation will knock it down to a misdemeanor offense.
The new bill doesn't let teens get off without any consequences. The law is designed in a tiered system that both punishes the behavior and still gives minors who are ages 12-17 a little understanding that they are still in the process of growing up.
“Anything you wanted to do in life is ruined by one stupid act you did as a teenager,” explained Rep. Seth Grove, who was one of the supporters of the bill.
PA state rep. Seth Grove, represents the 196th legislative district of York County.
He says the new Pennsylvania sexting law was needed.
“We saw kids getting hammered with a felony offense which at 15, is one thing but at 30, 40 or 50 having a felony charge for child porn has a very different meaning from sexting to when you are an adult,” Grove commented.
What started as teen girlfriends and boyfriends using technology to send pictures expressing their feelings and sexuality to each other turned into a criminal offense that labeled them a sex offender and hurt college applications, military qualifications, and job interviews later in life.
But now this new law takes into account teens being irresponsible. But Grove says doesn't punish them for life.
“Within a relationship of a boy and girl, police can give a summary offense,” Grove stated. “It can escalate to a misdemeanor 3 and to harassing behavior, a misdemeanor 2 charge.”
Teens we spoke with have different opinions.
“The new law is fair,” commented 10th grader Zachary Keiffer.
“I think it's is fair to say kids under 17 should be let a little easier, cause we are stupid,” chuckled Christian Mendoza.
It is a bad offense, but it shouldn't be labeled a sex offender,” concluded another teen.
So there will be consequences for teen sexting, it just will not be as harsh as an adult.
Grove says the bigger problem is when the teen photos are shared and then circulated and ends up in the hands of pedophiles.
Right now, teenagers can be charged as felons for sending an explicit sexual photograph.
The new legislation will knock it down to a misdemeanor offense.
The new bill doesn't let teens get off without any consequences. The law is designed in a tiered system that both punishes the behavior and still gives minors who are ages 12-17 a little understanding that they are still in the process of growing up.
“Anything you wanted to do in life is ruined by one stupid act you did as a teenager,” explained Rep. Seth Grove, who was one of the supporters of the bill.
PA state rep. Seth Grove, represents the 196th legislative district of York County.
He says the new Pennsylvania sexting law was needed.
“We saw kids getting hammered with a felony offense which at 15, is one thing but at 30, 40 or 50 having a felony charge for child porn has a very different meaning from sexting to when you are an adult,” Grove commented.
What started as teen girlfriends and boyfriends using technology to send pictures expressing their feelings and sexuality to each other turned into a criminal offense that labeled them a sex offender and hurt college applications, military qualifications, and job interviews later in life.
But now this new law takes into account teens being irresponsible. But Grove says doesn't punish them for life.
“Within a relationship of a boy and girl, police can give a summary offense,” Grove stated. “It can escalate to a misdemeanor 3 and to harassing behavior, a misdemeanor 2 charge.”
Teens we spoke with have different opinions.
“The new law is fair,” commented 10th grader Zachary Keiffer.
“I think it's is fair to say kids under 17 should be let a little easier, cause we are stupid,” chuckled Christian Mendoza.
It is a bad offense, but it shouldn't be labeled a sex offender,” concluded another teen.
So there will be consequences for teen sexting, it just will not be as harsh as an adult.
Grove says the bigger problem is when the teen photos are shared and then circulated and ends up in the hands of pedophiles.