Revenge Porn Laws: 50 State Guide (Updated Weekly)
Revenge porn legislation is sweeping the nation. To keep track, we've prepared the chart below. Each week, we check on the status of each state's revenge porn legislation efforts. In the far right column, we also included any state harassment or cyber stalking laws that may apply in certain situations. We repeat, MAY apply. In most instances, however, unless an "ex" is harassing you, the laws in the right column may not be enough to nab a revenge pornographer; but, every case is different and some harassment and bullying laws have worked in the right situations. To speak with a lawyer about your revenge porn challenges, get in touch here.
| STATE | Specific Revenge Porn Law? | Other State Harassment & Cyberstalking Torts |
| Alabama | As of October 2013, state legislators reached out to the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative to help draft revenge porn legislation. Source House Bill 515 addressing "revenge porn" introduced in the State House Source. |
State Cyberharassment Statute: Section 13A-11-8 of the Code of Alabama |
| Alaska | Alaska's cyberstalking and online abuse laws cover acts of revenge porn. Source | Since Alaska already has a law that covers revenge porn, it is best to use that statute when suing for revenge porn. |
| Arizona | The Arizona State House unanimously approved a revenge porn bill in mid-March 2014. It is currently being reviewed by the Arizona State Senate.
Source After making some amendments pertaining to domestic violence, the Arizona State Senate passed a revenge porn bill in April 2014. Now it has to go back down to the House for final approval. Source It's official. Revenge porn is officially a felony in Arizona. Source After some concern over the wording of the state's revenge porn bill, Arizona legislators approved new wording. Source Revisions of the Arizona revenge porn law are stalled till next year. Source |
State Harassment Law: Section 13-2921 of the Arizona Revised Statutes |
| Arkansas | At this time, Arkansas does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. Senator Bart Hester is drumming up media interest for a revenge porn bill he hopes passes in 2015. Source |
Information About State Cyberbullying Policies: Arkansas Anti-Bullying Information About Arkansas Harassment & Sexual Assault Laws: WomensLaw.org - Arkansas Section |
| California |
In October 2013, the California State Legislator passed a revenge porn law. It only applies, however,
if the victim did not give the "material" to the defendant (i.e., media taken without the plaintiff's knowledge).
California Revenge Porn Law: California Senate Bill 255 (2013) A more comprehensive revenge porn bill was introduced to the legislator in Feb. 2014. A.B. No. 2643 April 2014 Update: The California Gov. signed a version of a revenge porn bill into law, but it only covers situations where the victim did not give permission to have their photo or video taken. Source |
Since California has a revenge porn law, it's the best option in revenge porn cases. |
| Colorado | Colorado legislators are currently debating a revenge porn bill that would only cover minors. Source
Judiciary Cmte. considering social media revenge porn statute. Source The Colorado House, by voice vote, flagged through a revenge porn bill that would have violators paying a $10,000 and force them to remove the material. The proposal covers minors and adults. Now, the Senate must approve the bill. Source |
State Harassment Statutes: #18-9-111, Section 4.b.II of the Colorado Revised Statutes |
| Connecticut | A revenge porn bill was introduced in the CT General Assembly in late March 2014. Source In early April 2014, the Senate Judiciary Cmte. approved the revenge porn legislation; the bill will now go to the general senate for review and ratification. Source May 2014 Update: Looks like the CT Legislator has opted to table revenge porn legislation for a year because they're unsure how to define it. (May we suggest they look at other states' bills that have made it through both state houses -- like Arizona.) Source |
State Harassment Statute: 6.7-6 Harassment in the Second Degree (Written Communication) - Section 53a-183 (a) (2) of the CT Criminal Jury Instructions |
| Delaware | In mid-March 2014, representatives introduced a revenge porn law in the state house. Source | State Harassment Law: Section 1311 Title 11 of the Delaware Code |
| Florida | The Florida State Senate passed revenge porn bill. Now the House must take action. Source | Since Florida has a revenge porn law, it's the best option in revenge porn cases. |
| Georgia | The Georgia State Senate agreed to criminalize revenge porn in mid-March 2014.
Source House Bill 838 |
Information About State Harassment & Sexual Assault Laws: WomensLaw.org Georgia Section | Hawaii | Hawaii does not have a revenge porn law yet, but there has been lots of chatter in the Hawaiian media about pestering state legislators to draft a bill. A revenge porn bill cleared conference committee and will be heading to the House and Senate for a vote on April 29, 2014. Source |
State Harassment Law: Section 711-1106 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes State Cyberbully Law: House Bill 688 |
| Idaho | Representatives recently introduced a bill in the State House that would amend the current "anti-voyeurism" law. The proposed statute would cover revenge porn in certain circumstances. Source | State Harassment Laws: Chapter 79 of the General Laws of the State of Idaho |
| Illinois |
The Illinois State Senate passed a revenge porn law in late February 2014. Now, it has to be passed by the House.
Source Illinois' revenge porn law is in effect as of January 1, 2015. Source |
State Cyberstalking Law: Section 12-7.5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes |
| Indiana | At this time, Indiana does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the State Legislator. | State Harassment Law: Section 35-45-2-2 of the Indiana Code |
| Iowa | At this time, Iowa does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Harassment Law: Section 708.7 of the Iowa Code |
| Kansas | State legislators reached out to the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative to help draft revenge porn legislation. Source
At the beginning of 2015, Rep. Sydney Carlin introduced H.R. 2062, an anti-revenge porn bill, for consideration. Source |
State Harassment by Telecommunication Device Law: Section 21-6206 of the Kansas Statutes |
| Kentucky | In 2013, a plaintiff won major "revenge porn-like" case using other state laws. Source A revenge porn bill is currently under review in the legislator. HB 130 | State Harassment Law: Section 508-130 of the Kentucky Revised Statute |
| Louisiana | The Louisiana Governor announced plans for a revenge porn bill. Source | State Stalking Law: Section 508.130 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes |
| Maine | While Maine is still without a revenge porn law, a state police chief is publically calling for a revenge porn law.
Source In February 2015, a bipartisan coalition in the Maine Legislator introduced a law criminalizing revenge porn. Source |
State Harassment Laws: Title 5 Chapter 337-A of the Maine Revised Statutes |
| Maryland | State delegates approved revenge porn legislation in early March 2014.
Source Revenge porn is officially a misdemeanor in Maryland as of May 2014. Source |
Grace's Law: House Bill 396 |
| Massachusetts | At this time, Massachusetts does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. |
Information About MA Harassment Laws: MA Trial Court Law Library State Crimes Against The Person: Chapter 265 of the Massachusetts General Laws |
| Michigan | Michigan does not yet have a revenge porn law, however state prosecutors have used older laws that provide for "a two-year felony and/or a $5,000 fine for posting a message on the Internet without the consent of another party." Source | State Online Harassment Law: Section 750.411s of the Michigan Penal Code |
| Minnesota | Minnesota does not have a specific revenge porn law, but prosecutors have successfully scared off perpetrators with "criminal defamation statutes." Source | State Harassment Law: Section 609.795 of the Minnesota Statutes |
| Mississippi | At this time, Mississippi does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | Obscene Electronic Communications Law: Section 97-29-45 of the Mississippi Code |
| Missouri | In the beginning of 2014, a state representative introduced a revenge porn bill. Source | State Harassment Law: Section 565.090.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes |
| Montana | At this time, Montana does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | Various State Harassment Laws: MT Gov. Website |
| Nebraska | At this time, Nebraska does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Harassment Law: Section 28-311.02 of the Nebraska Revised Statute |
| Nevada | Nevada officials are considering a law that would make revenge porn a category C felony. Source | State "Crimes Against The Person": Chapter 200 of the Nevada Revised Statutes |
| New Hampshire | At this time, New Hampshire does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Breaches of Peace Laws: Section 644:4 of the NH Criminal Code |
| New Jersey | New Jersey does have an old law that covers acts of revenge porn. New Jersey "Revenge Porn Law" | Since NJ already has a law that covers revenge porn, it's best to use that one. |
| New Mexico | A revenge porn law was recently proposed in the NM state legislator.
Source Legislators ratified a revenge porn law. Source |
As of right now, no NM state law will help in revenge porn situations. |
| New York | NY legislators have been eager to pass a revenge porn law, but nothing yet. Recently, the state's first revenge porn case was thrown out.
Source It is illegal in New York to distribute material that the person doesn't know was taken or filmed. |
As of right now, no NY state law will help in revenge porn situations. |
| North Carolina | A State House committee voted unanimously for House Bill 792, which aims to ban revenge porn in the state. Now the bill will move on to the full House for a vote. Source | State Cyberstalking Law: Chapter 14 of the NC General Statutes |
| North Dakota | 2015: State legislators are considering a revenge porn bill.
Source; Source Legislators passed a revenge porn law in April 2015. Source |
NA |
| Ohio | Coming Soon | State Harassment Law: Section 2917.21 of the Ohio Code |
| Oklahoma | At this time, Oklahoma does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. California recently arrested an Oklahoma man under the CA state revenge porn law-related statute. Source |
Coming Soon |
| Oregon | The Oregon Senate unanimously voted "yes" on a revenge porn bill. Now, the Oregon House must ratify. Source | State Harassment Law: Section 166.065 of the Oregon Revised Statutes |
| Pennsylvania | The PA State Senate Judiciary Committee approved a revenge porn bill; now it must be passed by the state senate.
Source
There is talk of expanding the PA revenge porn law. Source |
State Harassment Law: Section 2709 of the Pennsylvania Cons. Statutes |
| Rhode Island | Some state representatives are pushing for a revenge porn law during 2014 legislative session.
Source The Rhode Island Senate approved a revenge porn bill, now it will go to the state House of Representatives. Source |
Computer Crime Law: Section 11-52-4.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws Cyber harassment Law: Section 11-52-4.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws |
| South Carolina | At this time, South Carolina does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Harassment Laws: Chapter 17 of the South Carolina Code of Laws |
| South Dakota | At this time, South Dakota does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Harassment Laws: Section 49-31-31 of the South Dakota Code of Laws |
| Tennessee | A revenge porn bill passed in the TN House in mid-March 2014. Source | Coming Soon |
| Texas | Although Texas does not have a revenge porn law yet,
prosecutors recently used other laws to win a $500,000 revenge porn case. Additionally, legislators are busy crafting a bill.
Source
The Texas Senate unanimously approved a revenge porn bill. Next, it will go to the House for ratification. Source Evidence of another case in Texas where prosecutors are using online impersonation laws to convict a revenge porn perpetrator. Source |
Online Impersonation Law: Section 33.07 of the Texas Penal Code |
| Utah | The Utah Governor signed a revenge porn law, into law, in early April 2014. In Utah, “Distribution of an intimate image” is a Class A misdemeanor (for the first offense) and a third-degree felony for recidivist offenders.
Source Utah's revenge porn law is officially in effect. Source A Utah man will be spending 2 months in jail for violating the state's new revenge porn law. Source |
Title 76 of the Utah Criminal Code |
| Vermont |
At this time, Vermont does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator.
Currently, in a yet-to-be-determined case, a plaintiff is arguing a voyeurism law.
Source
At the beginning of 2015, state lawmakers are reviewing a revenge porn bill. Source In March 2015, the Vermont House passed a "revenge porn" bill. Now it goes to the Senate. Source The VT Senate passed a revenge porn bill - April 2015. Source |
State Harassment Laws: Title 13 Section 1027 of the Vermont Statutes |
| Virginia | A revenge porn law passed in February 2014. Source | Harassment by Computer Law: Section 18.2-152.7:1 of the Virginia Code |
| Washington | Representatives introduced a revenge porn bill in 2014.
Source The State House unanimously passed HB 2610. Source |
State Cyberstalking Law: Section 9.61.260 of the WA Revised Code |
| West Virginia | At this time, West Virginia does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | State Cyberharassment Law: Section 61-3C-1 of the West Virginia Code |
| Wisconsin | A revenge porn bill passed mid-March 2014. Source | State Unlawful Computer Law: Section 947.0125 of the Wisconsin Statutes |
| Wyoming | At this time, Wyoming does not have a specific revenge porn law, nor a pending bill in the state legislator. | Coming Soon |