An act relating to sexual extortion, voyeurism, and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent
Sponsored By: Angela Arsenault (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
You can sue over nonconsensual images
You can sue if someone shows or shares an image taken in violation of the voyeurism law or knowingly shares a nude or sexual image of you without consent and you are harmed. Courts can order removal and may let you file under a pseudonym. A trauma‑related diagnosis can count as proof of injury in negligence claims. You can sue for acts back to July 1, 2005 (voyeurism images) and July 1, 2015 (nonconsensual image disclosure). You may file at any time. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
40‑year window to charge these crimes
Prosecutors have 40 years to start cases for certain crimes starting July 1, 2026. The list includes voyeurism involving recording, voyeurism image display or disclosure, disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent, and sexual extortion.
New crime: sexual extortion and threats
The law creates the crime of sexual extortion. It is illegal to threaten to share a nude or sexual image to force someone to send images, have sex, do acts against their will, stop doing legal acts, or give money. It also bans using threats like false criminal accusations, harm to a person or property, public shaming, or reporting immigration status to coerce sexual images or acts. Penalties: up to 3 years or $3,000 when the victim is 18 or older; up to 10 years or $10,000 when the victim is under 18; up to 15 years or $15,000 if serious injury or death occurs. Victims who report in good faith and on time get limited immunity so evidence from their report cannot be used to charge them for certain indecent‑material offenses. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Stronger anti‑voyeurism rules and penalties
The law makes it a crime to view or record someone’s intimate areas without their knowledge and consent when a reasonable person expects privacy. It also bans secret filming in private parts of a home and makes clear business security programs cannot record intimate areas without consent. It is a crime to show or share images taken in violation of these rules. Penalties include: up to 2 years or $1,000 for a first adult offense; up to 3 years or $5,000 for a repeat adult offense; up to 3 years or $5,000 for a first minor‑victim offense; up to 5 years or $10,000 for a repeat minor‑victim offense; and up to 5 years or $5,000 for unlawful display or disclosure. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Nonconsensual nude images: crimes and no fees
It is a crime to knowingly share a nude or sexual image of an identifiable person without consent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce. Sharing to make money carries a stronger penalty: up to 5 years or a $10,000 fine. Websites and apps cannot charge you to remove or stop posting such images if you ask. Exceptions include voluntary public nudity, public‑interest reporting, lawful police, court, or medical uses, and content provided solely by someone else on an online service (covered by federal law like Section 230). These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Angela Arsenault
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Alicia Malay
Republican • House
Edye Graning
Democratic • House
Emilie Krasnow
Democratic • House
Leanne Harple
Democratic • House
Mary-Katherine A Stone
Democratic • House
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on April 28, 2026
4/30/2026SenateSigned by Governor on April 28, 2026
4/28/2026HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
4/23/2026SenateDelivered to the Governor on April 22, 2026
4/22/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
4/21/2026HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/21/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/17/2026HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/16/2026HouseRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/15/2026SenateNew Business/Third Reading
4/15/2026Senate3rd reading ordered
4/14/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to
4/14/2026SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary
4/14/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
4/14/2026SenateSecond Reading
4/14/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
4/10/2026SenateSecond Reading
4/10/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
4/10/2026SenateRead 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
2/6/2026SenateRead third time and passed
2/5/2026HouseRemaining instances of amendment agreed to
2/5/2026HouseRep. Donahue of Northfield asked and was granted leave to withdraw 1st instance of amendment
2/5/2026HouseRep. Donahue of Northfield asked that the question be divided
2/5/2026HouseRep. Donahue of Northfield moved to amend the bill
2/5/2026HouseAction Calendar: Third Reading
2/5/2026House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 89)
5/8/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
4/22/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
4/22/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/17/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
4/17/2026
As Passed by the House
2/6/2026
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
2/6/2026
As Introduced
1/8/2026
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