BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho teenagers 17 or younger could be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony if they are caught "sexting" under a bill headed to the Senate floor.
The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee on Friday unanimously approved House Bill 555, which would make most sexting between minors a misdemeanor offense. However, a minor who mass distributes the content would be charged with a felony after a second offense
Sexting typically involves teens using a mobile phone to send sexually explicit images of themselves or others.
Current state law says anyone who transmits an explicit image of a teen can face stiff penalties, including prison time and a requirement to register as a sex offender.
So far, more than a dozen states have reduced penalties in recent years for minors convicted of sexting.
