In one paragraph
Maine's LD 1944 (Public Law chapter 400) expands the crime of unauthorized dissemination of certain private images (17-A MRSA §511-A) to cover an image created or modified so that it appears to show the depicted person nude or engaged in a sexual act or sexual contact, and defines "image" to include anything made, captured, generated or saved, such as computer data files, animations and livestreams. It also makes threatening to commit that crime harassment under 5 MRSA §4651 and adds such threats to the conduct listed in 19-A MRSA §4102. Signed June 20, 2025.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
No duties for businesses. It extends a crime, the harassment definition and 19-A MRSA §4102 to intimate images of real people that are generated or altered, and to threats to share them.
Key provisions
- Amends 17-A MRSA §511-A(1): the crime covers disseminating, displaying or publishing, with intent to harass, torment or threaten, an image of another person nude or engaged in a sexual act or sexual contact, or an image created or modified so that it appears to show the depicted person that way, with no public or newsworthy purpose
- Applies when the person knows or should have known that the depicted person is identifiable from the image or information displayed with it and has not consented to the dissemination, display or publication
- New 17-A MRSA §511-A(3)(D): "image" means something made, captured, generated or saved as a print, negative, slide, motion picture, photograph, computer data file, animation, videotape, livestream or other mechanically, electronically or chemically reproduced visual image or material
- Amends the definition of harassment in 5 MRSA §4651(2) to include communicating a threat to commit this crime while consciously disregarding a substantial risk that the threat will place the person who is or appears to be depicted in reasonable fear that it will be committed
- Adds the same kind of threat to the conduct listed in 19-A MRSA §4102(1), alongside unauthorized dissemination of private images and sex trafficking
- Signed by the Governor June 20, 2025 (Public Law chapter 400)
Latest legislative action
Jun 20, 2025. Signed by the Governor (Public Law chapter 400)
Sponsors (showing 5 of 14)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Amy KUHN D | Primary |
| Benjamin COLLINGS | Primary |
| Denise TEPLER D | Primary |
| Michelle DUNPHY | Primary |
| Adam LEE D | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error