All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Northern Mariana IslandsHB 24-124th Northern Mariana Islands Legislature (2025-2026)House
To amend provisions in Title 6, Chapter 3, Sexual Offenses, Article 1. General Provisions, relating to sexual abuse/assault of minors.
Sponsored By: Joseph Arriola Flores (Independent)
Became Law
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clearer sex-crime terms and evidence rules
The law defines key terms used in sex-crime cases. It spells out 'position of authority' (for example, teacher, coach, counselor, doctor, religious leader, or babysitter) and excludes police or probation acting in custody. It defines sexual act, contact, and penetration, and says consent can be withdrawn at any time. It excludes recognized lawful medical or therapeutic care from 'penetration.' Courts can also admit evidence that the defendant did similar acts before, even if there was no prior charge or conviction, including in domestic-violence cases.
Crackdown on voyeurism and sexual recordings
The law bans secretly watching or recording someone for sexual stimulation when they reasonably expect privacy. It bans capturing, sharing, trying to share, threatening to share, or publishing such sexual recordings without consent or knowledge. Exceptions include posted security cameras, lawful law-enforcement and correctional recordings, and a parent or guardian’s child-monitoring in their own home. Penalties are up to 5 years and $2,000 for invasion, and up to 20 years and $10,000 for distribution. Each recording shared is a separate crime, and parole is barred until two-thirds of the minimum sentence is served.
School staff banned from sex with students
The law bans any sexual act between a student and a person employed by or contracted by that student’s school. It applies to schools that include grades 6 through 12. Breaking this law brings 2 to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,000, or both.
Stronger child sexual abuse penalties
Sexual penetration of a person under 15 is first-degree sexual abuse; sexual contact is second-degree. The law also covers 18 with under 15; 19 with under 16; 20 with under 17; or 21+ with under 18, and anyone who helps or encourages. First degree carries 8 to 30 years in prison and up to $50,000; mandatory sentencing rules apply. Second degree carries 2 to 15 years and up to $10,000. For second degree, parole is barred until two-thirds of the minimum sentence is served.
Limited age-belief defense in sex cases
The law creates an age-belief defense in cases under the child-sex-abuse and school-staff statutes. A defendant can claim they reasonably believed the person was at or above the required age. This defense is not allowed if the victim was under 16 at the time.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Joseph Arriola Flores
Independent • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 7/14/2025
Senate Final Reading — Passed
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/15/2025
House Final Reading — Passed (HS1)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
P.L. 24-08
8/5/2025HouseSenate Final Reading — Passed
7/14/2025SenateSenate Report Action — Approved
7/14/2025SenateHouse Final Reading — Passed (HS1)
5/15/2025HouseHouse First Reading — Passed (HS1)
5/15/2025HouseHouse Report Action — Approved
5/15/2025HouseIntroduced
2/14/2025House
Bill Text
24-18
2/14/2025
HB 24-1
2/14/2025
P.L. 24-08
2/14/2025
SCR 24-4 (HS1)
2/14/2025
[HS1]
2/14/2025
Related Bills
HB 24-63 — To amend Title 4 sections 1991 to 1995 relating to the 3% construction tax on gross revenues derived from certain non-residential construction projects and to enact a new section 1996 pertaining to Applicability; and for other purposes.
SB 24-04 — to advance Chamorro & Carolinian language education in the CNMI
HB 24-13 — To amend the fee structure for the Office of the Registrar of Corporations under the Department of Commerce and to remove daily penalty fees.
HB 24-35 — To amend certain provisions of the CNMI Good Samaritan Act [7 CMC § 2801 et seq.]; and for other purposes.
HB 24-11 — To provide greater authority to government transit buses owned and operated by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA); to establish traffic safety measures, enhance public engagement, ensure fiscal responsibility, and comply with existing CNMI laws and federal standards; and for other purposes.
HB 24-82 — To amend Section 704(k) of Public Law 24-20 to prevent disruption or delay of allotments, payments, or expenditures of the Legislative Branch by adding a transition period of up to 270 days for the implementation of the Legislature’s Finance Department; and for other purposes.