Vermont Considers Legalizing Teen 'Sexting'

MONTPELIER, Vt. — 

The Vermont Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize so-called "sexting" between teenagers. Sexting refers to the exchange of explicit photos and videos via mobile phone. Under current laws, participants can be charged with child pornography, but lawmakers are considering a bill to legalize the consensual exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old. Passing along such images to others would remain a crime.

Supporters told The Burlington Free Press they don't want to condone the behavior but they don't think teenagers should be prosecuted as sex offenders for consensual conduct.

The bill passed the state Senate earlier this month. The House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on it this week.

Fox News Online, April 13, 2009, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514875,00.html