Bill to ban revenge porn advances in Ohio

Revenge porn — distributing private images of an ex- or anyone else without permission — would be banned under a bill that cleared the Ohio House on Wednesday.

House Bill 497, which passed 81-0, would make revenge porn a misdemeanor for a first offense and felonies for subsequent offenses. The legislation would also set up a path for victims to sue for damages in civil court.

Related: Revenge porn victim: ‘The cell phone had more rights than me’

Victims of revenge porn report that intimate photos or videos taken with or without permission have landed on dozens of websites. A majority of victims of revenge porn are women. State Rep. John Rodgers said the damage can last a lifetime.

More than three dozen states already have laws against distributing private, sexually explicit images without consent.

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

House Bill 497 is one of dozens of bills getting votes today. Here are links to stories about other legislation passing the Ohio House:

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