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.

About the Author

Aaron Gould Sheinin

U.S. attorney says more indictments of government officials coming

Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson was charged Monday with fraud related to government assistance. Theodore Hertzberg says the investigations are not politically motivated.

Voters to decide special elections to state House in Cherokee and Athens area

Those wishing to cast a ballot in the pair of special elections for Georgia state House seats have until polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

State lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud

Authorities say State Rep. Sharon Henderson, while a candidate for the Georgia House in 2020, applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits under false pretenses.

The Latest

Credit: AP

U.S. attorney says more indictments of government officials coming

Voters to decide special elections to state House in Cherokee and Athens area

Firebrand state senator running for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat

Featured

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia districts forge their own way as troubled program faces a crossroads

School districts are dropping out of GNETS to serve students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

Ex-Truett McConnell VP indicted in case tied to sex abuse probe

A White County grand jury has indicted a former Truett McConnell University vice president, accusing him of lying to a county sheriff investigator.

Dickens asks top donors for $250K to help fund inauguration events

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is soliciting up to $250,000 from top donors to sponsor three days of events celebrating his second-term inauguration.