Ohio’s House of Representatives recently approved a bill that makes sexting by minors illegal but keeps them from being labeled sex offenders. The bill will now move to the Senate.

The new bill makes the charge an unruly act for juveniles in the photograph and a misdemeanor offense for someone sharing the photos. The juveniles will still need to appear before a judge.

Ohio law enforcement officials have said that at times they were uncomfortable using the existing law which considers sexting a serious offense requiring sex offender registration. For this reason some of the cases go to the prosecutor's office to determine whether charges should be filed at all.

Source: Bill aims to remove 'label for life' for teens caught 'sexting', Sandusky Register online, May 31, 2010

Tags: Ohio, sexting, legislation