Gov. Maura Healey plans to sign legislation Thursday that outlaws the circulation of explicit photos of someone without their permission, a move that will make Massachusetts the 49th state to do so in the country, according to an advisory released Wednesday.
Only South Carolina will remain without a statute specifically banning so-called revenge porn after Healey inks her signature to a policy Beacon Hill Democrats struck a compromise on last week.
The deal the Legislature shipped to Healey’s desk makes the non-consensual distribution of explicit images by an adult a crime punishable by up to two and half years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The proposal also boosts the fine for criminal harassment from $1,000 to $5,000.
Lawmakers set up a diversionary program for teenagers on the consequences of sexting and posting explicit images or videos online. A child who violates those laws would be diverted from the criminal justice system into an education program developed and implemented by the Attorney General’s Office.
The bill also extends from six to 15 years the statute of limitations for assault and battery on a family or household member, or against someone with an active protective order. It also tackles sexually explicit deep fakes, or computer-generated images of people shared without a person’s consent.
Both the House and Senate agreed to add the definition of “coercive control” — or non-physical forms of abuse by a family or household member — to state laws covering abuse prevention, a move that supporters said will allow victims to qualify for an abuse prevention order.
Healey is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony that starts at 10 a.m. in the State House, according to her schedule.
She will be joined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate budget chief Michael Rodrigues, Judiciary Committee Co-Chair Rep. Michael Day, Sen. John Keenan, local officials, advocates, and survivors, Healey’s office said.
