GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2023

SESSION LAW 2024-37

HOUSE BILL 591

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH SEXUAL EXTORTION OFFENSES, TO UPDATE OFFENSES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, TO UPDATE SEX OFFENDER AND PUBLIC PROTECTION REGISTRATION PROGRAMS, AND TO CLARIFY THE OFFENSE OF DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE IMAGES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

ESTABLISH SEXUAL EXTORTION OFFENSES

SECTION 1.  Article 26 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 14‑202.7.  Sexual extortion; aggravated sexual extortion.

(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Adult. – A person 18 years or older.

(2) Disclose. – To transfer, publish, distribute, or reproduce.

(3) Image. – A photograph, film, videotape, recording, live transmission, digital or computer‑generated visual depiction, including a realistic visual depiction created, adapted, or modified by technological means, including algorithms or artificial intelligence, such that a reasonable person would believe the image depicts an identifiable individual, or any other reproduction that is created, adapted, or modified by electronic, mechanical, or other means.

(4) Immediate family member. – As defined in G.S. 14‑43.17.

(5) Individual with a disability. – As defined in G.S. 14‑32.1.

(6) Minor. – A person who has not reached the age of 18 years.

(7) Private image. – An image depicting sexual activity or sexually explicit nudity.

(8) Sexual activity. – As defined in G.S. 14‑190.13.

(9) Sexually explicit nudity. – As defined in G.S. 14‑190.13.

(b) Sexual Extortion. – A person commits the offense of sexual extortion if the person intentionally threatens to disclose a private image, or to decline to delete, remove, or retract a previously disclosed private image, of the victim or of an immediate family member of the victim in order to compel or attempt to compel the victim or an immediate family member of the victim to do any act or refrain from doing any act against the victim's will, with the intent to obtain additional private images or anything else of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity. A violation of this subsection is punishable as follows:

(1) For an offense by a person who is an adult at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class F felony.

(2) For a first offense by a person who is a minor at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(3) For a second or subsequent offense by a person who is a minor at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class F felony.

(c) Aggravated Sexual Extortion. – A person commits the offense of aggravated sexual extortion if the person intentionally threatens to disclose a private image, or to decline to delete, remove, or retract a previously disclosed private image, of the victim or of an immediate family member of the victim in order to compel or attempt to compel the victim or an immediate family member of the victim to do any act or refrain from doing any act against the victim's will, with the intent to obtain additional private images or anything else of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity, and the victim is a minor or an individual with a disability and the person is an adult at the time of the offense. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class E felony."

UPDATE OFFENSES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR

SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 14‑190.13 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑190.13.  Definitions for certain offenses concerning minors.

The following definitions apply to G.S. 14‑190.14, displaying material harmful to minors; G.S. 14‑190.15, disseminating or exhibiting to minors harmful material or performances; G.S. 14‑190.16, first degree sexual exploitation of a minor; G.S. 14‑190.17, second degree sexual exploitation of a minor; G.S. 14‑190.17A, third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.minor; and G.S. 14‑190.17C, obscene visual representation of sexual exploitation of a minor.

(1)        Harmful to Minors. – That quality of any material or performance that depicts sexually explicit nudity or sexual activity and that, taken as a whole, has the following characteristics:

a.         The average adult person applying contemporary community standards would find that the material or performance has a predominant tendency to appeal to a prurient interest of minors in sex; and

b.         The average adult person applying contemporary community standards would find that the depiction of sexually explicit nudity or sexual activity in the material or performance is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community concerning what is suitable for minors; and

c.         The material or performance lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.

(1a) Identifiable Minor. – An individual who meets all of the following criteria:

a. Was a minor at the time either of the following occurred:

1. The material was created, adapted, or modified.

2. The image that was used in creating, adapting, or modifying the material was taken.

b. Is recognizable as an actual person by the person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic, such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature.

The term "identifiable minor" does not require proof of the actual identity of the minor.

(2)        Material. – Pictures, drawings, video recordings, films or other visual or physical depictions or representations representations, including digital or computer‑generated visual depictions or representations created, adapted, or modified by technological means, such as algorithms or artificial intelligence, but not material consisting entirely of written words.

(3)        Minor. – An individual who is less than 18 years old and is not married or judicially emancipated.

(3a) Obscene. – Material is obscene if it meets all of the following criteria:

a. The material depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual activity.

b. The average person applying contemporary community standards relating to the depiction or description of sexual matters would find that the material taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest in sex.

c. The material lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

d. The material as used is not protected or privileged under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of North Carolina.

(4)        Prostitution. – Engaging or offering to engage in sexual activity with or for another in exchange for anything of value.

(5)        Sexual Activity. – Any of the following acts:

a.         Masturbation, whether done alone or with another human or an animal.

b.         Vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, whether done with another human or with an animal.

c.         Touching, in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or sexual abuse, of the clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of another person or the clothed or unclothed breasts of a human female.

d.         An act or condition that depicts torture, physical restraint by being fettered or bound, or flagellation of or by a nude person or a person clad in undergarments or in revealing or bizarre costume.

e.         Excretory functions; provided, however, that this sub‑subdivision shall not apply to G.S. 14‑190.17A.

f.          The insertion of any part of a person's body, other than the male sexual organ, or of any object into another person's anus or vagina, except when done as part of a recognized medical procedure.

g.         The lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person.

(6)        Sexually Explicit Nudity. – The showing of:

a.         Uncovered, or less than opaquely covered, human genitals, pubic area, or buttocks, or the nipple or any portion of the areola of the human female breast, except as provided in G.S. 14‑190.9(b); or

b.         Covered human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

(7) Child Sex Doll. – Means an anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot that meets both of the following requirements:

a. Has the features of or features that resemble those of a minor.

b. Is intended to be used for sexual stimulation or gratification."

SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 14‑190.16 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑190.16.  First degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

(a)        Offense. – A person commits the offense of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material or performance, he:performance, the person does any of the following:

(1)        Uses, employs, induces, coerces, encourages, or facilitates a minor to engage in or assist others to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity; oractivity.

(2)        Permits a minor under his custody or control to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity; oractivity.

(3)        Transports or finances the transportation of a minor through or across this State with the intent that the minor engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity; oractivity.

(4)        Records, photographs, films, develops, or duplicates for sale or pecuniary gain material that contains a visual representation depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity.

(5) Creates for sale or pecuniary gain material created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaged in sexual activity.

(6) Creates for sale or pecuniary gain a child sex doll of an identifiable minor.

(b)        Inference. – In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a participant in sexual activity whom material through its title, text, visual representations, or otherwise represents or depicts as a minor is a minor.

(c)        Mistake of Age. – Mistake of age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.

(d)       Punishment and Sentencing. – Violation of this section is a Class C felony.A violation of subdivision (a)(5) or subdivision (a)(6) of this section is a Class D felony. Any other violation of this section is a Class C felony."

SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 14‑190.17 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑190.17.  Second degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

(a)        Offense. – A person commits the offense of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material, he:material, the person does any of the following:

(1)        Records, photographs, films, develops, or duplicates material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity; oractivity.

(2)        Distributes, transports, exhibits, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges, or solicits material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity.activity or that has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaged in sexual activity.

(3) Distributes, transports, exhibits, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges, or solicits a child sex doll.

(b)        Inference. – In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a participant in sexual activity whom material through its title, text, visual representations or otherwise represents or depicts as a minor is a minor.

(c)        Mistake of Age. – Mistake of age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.

(d)       Punishment and Sentencing. – Violation of this section is a Class E felony."

SECTION 2.(d)  G.S. 14‑190.17A reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑190.17A.  Third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

(a)        Offense. – A person commits the offense of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material, he possesses a child sex doll or material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.activity or that has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexual activity.

(b)        Inference. – In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a participant in sexual activity whom material through its title, text, visual representations or otherwise represents or depicts as a minor is a minor.

(c)        Mistake of Age. – Mistake of age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.

(d)       Punishment and Sentencing. – Violation of this section is a Class H felony."

SECTION 2.(e)  Article 26 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 14‑190.17C.  Obscene visual representation of sexual exploitation of a minor.

(a) It is a Class E felony for any person to knowingly produce, distribute, receive, or possess with intent to distribute material that meets both of the following criteria:

(1) Depicts a minor engaging in sexual activity.

(2) Is obscene.

(b) It is a Class H felony for any person to knowingly possess material that meets both of the following criteria:

(1) Depicts a minor engaging in sexual activity.

(2) Is obscene.

(c) It is not a required element of any offense under this section that the minor depicted actually exist."

SECTION 2.(f)  G.S. 14‑202.3 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑202.3.  Solicitation of child by computer or certain other electronic devices to commit an unlawful sex act.

(a)        Offense. – A person is guilty of solicitation of a child by a computer if the person is 16 years of age or older and the person knowingly, with the intent to commit an unlawful sex act, entices, advises, coerces, orders, or commands, by means of a computer or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission, transmission, any of the following:

(1) a A child who is less than 16 years of age and at least five years younger than the defendant, defendant to meet with the defendant or any other person for the purpose of committing an unlawful sex act.

(2) or a A person the defendant believes to be a child who is less than 16 years of age and who the defendant believes to be at least five years younger than the defendant, to meet with the defendant or any other person for the purpose of committing an unlawful sex act. Consent is not a defense to a charge under this section.

(3) A person the defendant believes to be the parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child who is less than 16 years of age and who the defendant believes to be at least five years younger than the defendant, to meet with the defendant or any other person for the purpose of committing an unlawful sex act.

(b)        Jurisdiction. – The offense is committed in the State for purposes of determining jurisdiction, if the transmission that constitutes the offense either originates in the State or is received in the State.

(c)        Punishment. – A violation of this section is punishable as follows:

(1)        A violation is a Class H felony except as provided by subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(2)        If either the defendant, or any other person for whom the defendant was arranging the meeting in violation of this section, actually appears at the meeting location, then the violation is a Class G felony.

(d) Consent not a Defense. – Consent is not a defense to a charge under this section."

UPDATE SEX OFFENDER AND PUBLIC PROTECTION REGISTRATION PROGRAMS

SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 14‑208.6(5) reads as rewritten:

"(5)      Sexually violent offense. – A violation of former G.S. 14‑27.6 (attempted rape or sexual offense), G.S. 14‑27.21 (first‑degree forcible rape), G.S. 14‑27.22 (second‑degree forcible rape), G.S. 14‑27.23 (statutory rape of a child by an adult), G.S. 14‑27.24 (first‑degree statutory rape), G.S. 14‑27.25(a) (statutory rape of a person who is 15 years of age or younger and where the defendant is at least six years older), G.S. 14‑27.26 (first‑degree forcible sexual offense), G.S. 14‑27.27 (second‑degree forcible sexual offense), G.S. 14‑27.28 (statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult), G.S. 14‑27.29 (first‑degree statutory sexual offense), G.S. 14‑27.30(a) (statutory sexual offense with a person who is 15 years of age or younger and where the defendant is at least six years older), G.S. 14‑27.31 (sexual activity by a substitute parent or custodian), G.S. 14‑27.32 (sexual activity with a student), G.S. 14‑27.33 (sexual battery), G.S. 14‑43.11 (human trafficking) if (i) the offense is committed against a minor who is less than 18 years of age or (ii) the offense is committed against any person with the intent that they be held in sexual servitude, G.S. 14‑43.13 (subjecting or maintaining a person for sexual servitude), G.S. 14‑178 (incest between near relatives), G.S. 14‑190.6 (employing or permitting minor to assist in offenses against public morality and decency), G.S. 14‑190.9(a1) (felonious indecent exposure), G.S. 14‑190.16 (first degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14‑190.17 (second degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14‑190.17A (third degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14‑190.17C (obscene visual representation of sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14‑202.1 (taking indecent liberties with children), G.S. 14‑202.3 (Solicitation of child by computer or certain other electronic devices to commit an unlawful sex act), G.S. 14‑202.4(a) (taking indecent liberties with a student), G.S. 14‑205.2(c) or (d) (patronizing a prostitute who is a minor or has a mental disability), G.S. 14‑205.3(b) (promoting prostitution of a minor or a person who has a mental disability), G.S. 14‑318.4(a1) (parent or caretaker commit or permit act of prostitution with or by a juvenile), or G.S. 14‑318.4(a2) (commission or allowing of sexual act upon a juvenile by parent or guardian). The term also includes the following: a solicitation or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses; aiding and abetting any of these offenses."

SECTION 3.(b)  G.S. 14‑208.15A(e) reads as rewritten:

"(e)      An entity that receives:

(1)        A complaint from a user of the entity's services that a person uses its service to solicit a minor by computer to commit an unlawful sex act as defined in G.S. 14‑202.3, or

(2)        A report that a user may be violating G.S. 14‑190.17 or G.S. 14‑190.17A G.S. 14‑190.17A, or G.S. 14‑190.17C by posting or transmitting material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity,

shall report that information and the online identifier information of the person allegedly committing the offense, including whether that online identifier is included in the statewide registry, to the Cyber Tip Line at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which shall forward that report to an appropriate law enforcement official in this State. The offense is committed in the State for purposes of determining jurisdiction, if the transmission that constitutes the offense either originates in the State or is received in the State."

SECTION 3.(c)  G.S. 14‑208.18 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑208.18.  Sex offender unlawfully on premises.

(a)        It shall be unlawful for any person required to register under this Article, if the offense requiring registration is described in subsection (c) of this section, to knowingly be at any of the following locations:

(1)        On the premises of any place intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors, including, but not limited to, schools, children's museums, child care centers, nurseries, and playgrounds.

(2)        Within 300 feet of any location intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors when the place is located on premises that are not intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors, including, but not limited to, places described in subdivision (1) of this subsection that are located in malls, shopping centers, or other property open to the general public.

(3)        At any place where minors frequently congregate, including, but not limited to, libraries, arcades, amusement parks, recreation parks, and swimming pools, when minors are present.

(4)        On the State Fairgrounds during the period of time each year that the State Fair is conducted, on the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center grounds during the period of time each year that the North Carolina Mountain State Fair is conducted, and on any other fairgrounds during the period of time that an agricultural fair is being conducted.

(b)        Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a person subject to subsection (a) of this section who is the parent or guardian of a minor may take the minor to any location that can provide emergency medical care treatment if the minor is in need of emergency medical care.

(c)        The subdivisions of subsection (a) of this section are applicable as follows:

(1)        Subdivisions (1), (3), and (4) of subsection (a) of this section apply to persons required to register under this Article who have committed any of the following offenses:

a.         Any offense in Article 7B of this Chapter or any federal offense or offense committed in another state, which if committed in this State, is substantially similar to an offense in Article 7B of this Chapter.

b.         Any offense where the victim of the offense was under the age of 18 years at the time of the offense.

c.         Any offense in violation of G.S. 14‑190.16, 14‑190.17, or 14‑190.17A 14‑190.17A, or 14‑190.17C or any federal offense or offense committed in another state, which if committed in this State is substantially similar to an offense in violation of G.S. 14‑190.16, 14‑190.17, or 14‑190.17A.14‑190.17A, or 14‑190.17C.

(2)        Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section applies to persons required to register under this Article if any of the following apply:

a.         The person has committed any offense in Article 7B of this Chapter or any federal offense or offense committed in another state, which if committed in this State is substantially similar to an offense in Article 7B of this Chapter, and a finding has been made in any criminal or civil proceeding that the person presents, or may present, a danger to minors under the age of 18.

b.         The person has committed any offense where the victim of the offense was under the age of 18 years at the time of the offense.

c.         The person has committed an offense in violation of G.S. 14‑190.16, 14‑190.17, or 14‑190.17A 14‑190.17A, or 14‑190.17C or any federal offense or offense committed in another state, which if committed in this State is substantially similar to an offense in violation of G.S. 14‑190.16, 14‑190.17, or 14‑190.17A.14‑190.17A, or 14‑190.17C.

(d)       A person subject to subsection (a) of this section who is a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school may be present on school property if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)        The parent or guardian is on school property for the purpose for one of the following:

a.         To attend a conference at the school with school personnel to discuss the academic or social progress of the parents' or guardians' child; or

b.         The presence of the parent or guardian has been requested by the principal or his or her designee for any other reason relating to the welfare or transportation of the child.

(2)        The parent or guardian complies with all of the following:

a.         Notice: The parent or guardian shall notify the principal of the school of the parents' or guardians' registration under this Article and of his or her presence at the school unless the parent or guardian has permission to be present from the superintendent or the local board of education, or the principal has granted ongoing permission for regular visits of a routine nature. If permission is granted by the superintendent or the local board of education, the superintendent or chairman of the local board of education shall inform the principal of the school where the parents' or guardians' will be present. Notification includes the nature of the parents' or guardians' visit and the hours when the parent or guardian will be present at the school. The parent or guardian is responsible for notifying the principal's office upon arrival and upon departure. Any permission granted under this sub‑subdivision shall be in writing.

b.         Supervision: At all times that a parent or guardian is on school property, the parent or guardian shall remain under the direct supervision of school personnel. A parent or guardian shall not be on school property even if the parent or guardian has ongoing permission for regular visits of a routine nature if no school personnel are reasonably available to supervise the parent or guardian on that occasion.

(e)        A person subject to subsection (a) of this section who is eligible to vote may be present at a location described in subsection (a) used as a voting place as defined by G.S. 163‑165 only for the purposes of voting and shall not be outside the voting enclosure other than for the purpose of entering and exiting the voting place. If the voting place is a school, then the person subject to subsection (a) shall notify the principal of the school that he or she is registered under this Article.

(f)        A person subject to subsection (a) of this section who is eligible under G.S. 115C‑378 to attend public school may be present on school property if permitted by the governing body of the public school unit pursuant to G.S. 115C‑390.11(a)(2).

(g)        A juvenile subject to subsection (a) of this section may be present at a location described in that subsection if the juvenile is at the location to receive medical treatment or mental health services and remains under the direct supervision of an employee of the treating institution at all times.

(g1)      Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a person subject to subsection (a) of this section who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device shall wear an electronic monitoring device that provides exclusion zones around the premises of all elementary and secondary schools in North Carolina.

(h)        A violation of this section is a Class H felony."

SECTION 3.(d)  G.S. 14‑208.40A(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      The court shall order that the Department of Adult Correction do a risk assessment of the offender if the court finds each of the following:

(1)        The offender committed an offense that involved the physical, mental, or sexual abuse of a minor.

(2)        The offense under subdivision (1) of this subsection is not an aggravated offense or a violation of G.S. 14‑27.23 or G.S. 14‑27.28.

(3)        The offender is not a reoffender, or is a reoffender of a crime under G.S. 14‑27.31, 14‑27.32, 14‑27.33, 14‑178(b)(3), 14‑190.6, 14‑190.9(a1), 14‑190.17, 14‑190.17A, 14‑190.17C, 14‑202.1, 14‑202.3, 14‑202.4(a), or 14‑205.2(c).

The Department shall have up to 60 days to complete the risk assessment of the offender and report the results to the court. The Department may use a risk assessment of the offender done within six months of the date of the hearing."

CLARIFY OFFENSE OF DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE IMAGES

SECTION 4.  G.S. 14‑190.5A reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑190.5A.  Disclosure of private images; civil action.

(a)        Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)        Disclose. – Transfer, publish, distribute, or reproduce.

(2)        Image. – A photograph, film, videotape, recording, live transmission, digital or computer‑generated visual depiction, including a realistic visual depiction created, adapted, or modified by technological means, including algorithms or artificial intelligence, such that a reasonable person would believe the image depicts an identifiable individual, or any other reproduction that is made created, adapted, or modified by electronic, mechanical, or other means.

(3)        Intimate parts. – Any of the following naked human parts: (i) male or female genitals, (ii) male or female pubic area, (iii) male or female anus, or (iv) the nipple of a female over the age of 12.

(4), (5) Repealed by Session Laws 2017‑93, s. 1, effective December 1, 2017, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.

(6)        Sexual conduct. – Includes any of the following:

a.         Vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, whether actual or simulated, normal or perverted.

b.         Masturbation, excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of uncovered genitals.

c.         An act or condition that depicts torture, physical restraint by being fettered or bound, or flagellation of or by a nude person or a person clad in undergarments or in revealing or bizarre costume.

(b)        Offense. – A person is guilty of disclosure of private images if all of the following apply:

(1)        The person knowingly discloses an image of another person with the intent to do either of the following:

a.         Coerce, harass, intimidate, demean, humiliate, or cause financial loss to the depicted person.

b.         Cause others to coerce, harass, intimidate, demean, humiliate, or cause financial loss to the depicted person.

(2)        The depicted person is identifiable from the disclosed image itself or information offered in connection with the image.

(3)        The depicted person's intimate parts are or are realistically depicted to be exposed or the depicted person is or is realistically depicted to be engaged in sexual conduct in the disclosed image.

(4)        The person discloses the image without the affirmative consent of the depicted person.

(5)        The person obtained obtained, created, adapted, or modified the image without consent of the depicted person or under circumstances such that the person knew or should have known that the depicted person expected the images to remain private.

(c)        Penalty. – A violation of this section shall be punishable as follows:

(1)        For an offense by a person who is 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class H felony.

(2)        For a first offense by a person who is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(3)        For a second or subsequent offense by a person who is under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, the violation is a Class H felony.

(d)       Exceptions. – This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1)        Images involving voluntary exposure in public or commercial settings.

(2)        Disclosures made in the public interest, including, but not limited to, the reporting of unlawful conduct or the lawful and common practices of law enforcement, criminal reporting, legal proceedings, medical treatment, or scientific or educational activities.

(3)        Providers of an interactive computer service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 230(f), for images provided by another person.

(e)        Destruction of Image. – In addition to any penalty or other damages, the court may award the destruction of any image made in violation of this section.

(f)        Other Sanctions or Remedies Not Precluded. – A violation of this section is an offense additional to other civil and criminal provisions and is not intended to repeal or preclude any other sanctions or remedies.

(g)        Civil Action. – In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, including an order by the court to destroy any image disclosed in violation of this section, any person whose image is disclosed, or used, as described in subsection (b) of this section, has a civil cause of action against any person who discloses or uses the image and is entitled to recover from the other person any of the following:

(1)        Actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages, to be computed at the rate of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day of the violation or in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), whichever is higher.

(2)        Punitive damages.

(3)        A reasonable attorneys' fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.

The civil cause of action may be brought no more than one year after the initial discovery of the disclosure, but in no event may the action be commenced more than seven years from the most recent disclosure of the private image."

EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 28^th day of June, 2024.

                                                                    s/  Phil Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 4:51 p.m. this 8^th day of July, 2024