As of September 1, “Sexting”, or sending sexually explicit images between consensual minors will only be a misdemeanor offense at worst, and no longer subject to felony sex offender status.
Governor Perry signed the sexting reform bill into law, after it was passed by the Texas legislature . The laws are now appropriately updated, and in line with a current world where most people understand that teen questionable behavior is not at the same level as being a predatory child pornographer and registered sex offender. The laws about possessing and exchanging images did not reflect the reality of every hormone-riddled teen carrying a camera and worldwide distribution network in his or her pocket.
The new law will add a requirement for teens charged with sexting to complete and educational program on the dangers of sexting, that detail the emotional and criminal destructiveness of sexting.
Surveys show that nearly 20% of teens have sent a “sexually suggestive” picture of themselves to someone else.
