Texas House Votes To Criminalize 'Revenge Porn'

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AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has voted to criminalize the posting of so-called revenge porn, or putting explicit images online with the intent to embarrass a former lover or spouse.

The proposal by Rep. Sarah Davis, a Republican from West University Place, was approved by simple voice vote Thursday. It needs a final vote Friday to clear the lower chamber.

Civil liberties groups oppose the idea, citing free speech concerns. But floor debate was minimal, with some lawmakers only ensuring that Davis' bill contained language mandating that alleged perpetrators had to have intent to cause harm before being prosecuted.

Last month, the Senate passed its own "revenge porn" bill by Houston Democratic Sen. Sylvia Garcia. It made posting such images without consent a misdemeanor, and allowed affected Texans to recover monetary damages.