Bill to close child porn loopholes gets final OK

Lawmakers have adopted legislation to tighten restrictions on Web-based child pornography.

House Bill 156 now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk. Rep. Jay Neal, R-LaFayette, said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation asked for the bill to close a loophole dealing with the advertisement online for minor children involved in the sex trade.

“There was a loophole that did not allow them to prosecute for that,” Neal said.

The bill also includes “Romeo and Juliet” language for teens who send naked photos of each other via text message, a practice known as “sexting.” Current law could make it a child pornography felony if two 16-year-olds in a consensual relationship sent each other naked photos. HB 156 would make it a misdemeanor.

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