This act may be known and cited as the responsible teen communications act. The legislature finds that exchange of intimate images by minors is increasingly common, and that such actions may lead to harm and long-term consequences. The legislature intends to develop age–appropriate prevention and interventions to prevent harm and to hold accountable youth who harm others through exchange of intimate images. (d) A distribution, transfer, dissemination, or exchange of sexually explicit images of other minors thirteen years of age or older offense as provided in section 4(1) of this act and the alleged offense is the offender’s first violation of section 4(1) of this act, the prosecutor shall divert the case. (3) This section does not apply to a minor who knowingly sends or causes to be sent, or brings or causes to be brought, into this state for distribution, visual or printed matter depicting any minor thirteen years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
(4) This section does not apply to a person under thirteen years of age who knowingly sends or causes to be sent, or brings or causes to be brought, into this state for distribution, visual or printed matter depicting himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. (3) This section does not apply to a minor’s possession of visual or printed matter depicting any minor thirteen years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
(4) This section does not apply to a person under thirteen years of age in possession of visual or printed matter depicting himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. (5) This section does not apply to a minor who intentionally views over the internet visual or printed matter depicting a minor thirteen years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
(6) This section does not apply to a person under thirteen years of age who intentionally views over the internet visual or printed matter depicting himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1742-S.PL.pdf#page=1 New laws that address sexting behaviors took effect April of 2019 (
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.68A): 9.68A.011 Definitions
9.68A.053 Sexually explicit images—Crimes by minors—Penalties.
9.68A.055 Sexually explicit images—Forfeiture by minors.
9.68A.060 Sending, bringing into state depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
9.68A.070 Possession of depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
9.68A.075 Viewing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Revenge porn laws: Effective 9/26/2015, HB 1272 and HB 2160 create the crime of wrongfully distributing intimate images.
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1272-S2.PL.pdf http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/2160-S.PL.pdfSuggested Citation:
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (INSERT YEAR OF LAW YOU ARE CITING HERE). Sexting Laws - Washington. Cyberbullying Research Center. (Retrieved February 19, 2025).
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