'Revenge Porn,' Sexting Targeted in Baker's Bill

BOSTON, MA --Vengeful ex-lovers who post so-called "revenge porn" beware, Gov. Charlie Baker's aims to close a loophole in the law.

Baker is looking to toughen laws for "revenge porn" - where scorned lovers post sexual photos or videos of the exes online -- while offering diversion programs for "sexting" teens who post explicit pictures or videos of themselves online.

Baker reportedly planned on filing legislation Tuesday to close a loophole under current law by creating harsh penalties for adults who distribute sexually explicit images of former spouses or lovers in order to embarrass - often called "revenge porn."

The governor says current law addresses non-consensual recording of an unsuspecting person, but doesn't address the distribution of images without consent even though the original image may have been taken with consent.

Under his proposal, the jilted ex could face up to five years in state prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Judge would be allowed to order defendants to take down the images and possibly permanently delete them, the Boston Herald reports.

The bill also has an "explicit images" part that would send minors who "sext" explicit images to an educational diversion program rather than getting them involved in the juvenile justice system that could land them in state care, the Herald reports.

Baker's Bill would copy similar laws in 35 other states, according to the Herald.

For more on this story read the Boston Herald.