‘Revenge Porn’ Bill Moving Through Minnesota Legislature

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers are following other states in attempting to criminalize so-called "revenge porn."

The House public safety committee Tuesday passed a bill that would crack down on posting explicit photos or videos of an ex-partner on the Internet without permission.

Twenty-one-year-old Elle Williams told lawmakers that two years ago she was unknowingly filmed by her boyfriend. Sobbing, Williams said she thought it was deleted, but said her ex-boyfriend recently threatened to share the video.

Williams said she hopes lawmakers will empathize with her and other women who have gone through similar ordeals.

Teresa Nelson is the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. Nelson said the ACLU wants to protect women but is concerned the bill is vulnerable to a constitutional challenge.