COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor John Kasich signed Ohio’s first “revenge porn ban” into law on Thursday.
The bill prohibits non-consensual distribution of private sexual images and allows victims to press charges against a person that shares their sexual photos or videos without consent.
The legislation sets penalties on those who illegally distribute revenge porn.
A first-time offender would receive a thrid-degree misdemeanor, a second-time offender would receive a second-degree misdemeanor and three or more offenses would warrant a first-degree misdemeanor.
House Bill 497, the "revenge porn ban" legislation, was developed to protect privacy and prevent harm to people who become victims of revenge porn, according to officials.
Ohio Senator Joe Schiavoni issued the following statement on Kasich signing House Bill 497 into law:
Today is a victory for the many survivors who shared their stories with us and fought for years to pass this important bill. These images can make it hard for victims to find and keep jobs, scholarships and relationships. Ohio has now finally created a way to fight back against this vengeful and unacceptable act.
