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Legal Information: Kentucky

Statutes: Kentucky

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Updated: 
November 15, 2023

531.120. Distribution of sexually explicit images without consent.

(1) A person is guilty of distribution of sexually explicit images without consent when:

(a) He or she intentionally distributes to any third party private erotic matter without the written consent of the person depicted, and does so with the intent to profit, or to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the person depicted; and

(b) The disclosure would cause a reasonable person to suffer harm.

(2) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Images involving voluntary nudity or sexual conduct in public, commercial settings, or in a place where a person does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy;

(b) Disclosures made in the public interest, including the reporting of unlawful conduct, or lawful and common practices of law enforcement, criminal reporting, corrections, legal proceedings, or medical treatment;

(c) Disclosures of materials that constitute a matter of public concern; or

(d) Internet service providers or telecommunications services, or interactive computer services, as defined in 47 U.S.C. sec. 230(f)(2), for content solely provided by another person.

(3) A person who maintains an Internet Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application that distributes private erotic matter shall remove any such image if requested by a person depicted, and shall not solicit or accept a fee or other consideration to remove the visual image.

(4) Distribution of sexually explicit images without consent is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense, unless the person distributes the private erotic matter for profit or gain, in which case it is a Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for each subsequent offense.

(5) In this section, “consent” means the consent to transmission of images to a specific recipient or recipients. Consent to the creation of the visual image does not, by itself, constitute consent to the distribution of the visual image.

(6) Notwithstanding KRS 17.500 to 17.580, a conviction under this section shall not result in the offender being deemed a registrant or being required to register as a sex offender.