FRANKFORT, Ky. — Viewing child pornography on the web would be a felony if Kentucky modifies a law that is wending its way through the state Legislature.
HB126, which passed a state House panel this week, would overhaul the current child pornography law, which makes possession of child pornography a felony offense, to include a person who "intentionally views any matter which visually depicts an actual sexual performance by a minor person."
The viewing of child pornography would become a Class D felony, carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and fines of $1,000 to $10,000.
Tim Henning, the ASACP's executive director, said that his group supports all initiatives aiming to strengthen child pornography laws and allow for the successful prosecution of those guilty of sexually exploiting children.
"Governments in the U.S. and internationally are continuing to struggle to keep pace with technology from a legislative perspective," Henning told XBIZ. "Historically, it can often take years for governments to amend existing laws and write new laws just to catch up with new and emerging online technologies.
"As in this case, the proposed bill would close a loophole that currently allows the viewers of streamed child pornography video to do so without meeting possession requirements in the state of Kentucky," he said.
"Clearly this is a needed legal change and other legislative bodies internationally should take notice. The global community must stand together to send a clear message that the sexual abuse of our children will not be tolerated by society."