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PC 1017

Para enmendar el Artículo 4 de la Ley 21-2021, según enmendada, mejor conocida como “Ley contra la Venganza Pornográfica de Puerto Rico” para tipificar delito grave los casos en que una persona amenace a la victima de divulgar, difundir, revelar o entregar a terceros materiales explicito que la involucre, por cualquier medio de comunicación, incluyendo medios electrónicos y digitales, en el contexto de una relación de pareja, y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Bill upgrades threats to share intimate partner content to felony status in Puerto Rico, targeting digital sextortion and coercion in relationships.

Referido a Comisión(es)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PC 1017

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 1017 amends Puerto Rico's 2021 "Non-Consensual Pornography Law" to classify threats of sharing intimate material as a felony offense. The amendment specifically targets cases where someone threatens to disclose, distribute, reveal, or deliver explicit materials involving their partner to third parties through any communication method, including digital and electronic means.

Why is this important

This addresses a growing form of digital abuse and coercion within intimate relationships. Threats to share intimate content—known as "sextortion"—are commonly used to manipulate, control, or extort partners, causing severe psychological harm. Classifying these threats as felonies rather than misdemeanors increases legal consequences and potentially provides stronger deterrent effects and victim protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill must clearly distinguish between genuine threats and hyperbolic statements or conditional warnings to avoid over-criminalization
  • Relationship context requirement: Limiting this to "pareja" (couple) relationships may exclude threats by ex-partners, acquaintances, or strangers, potentially leaving other victims unprotected
  • Burden of proof: Establishing that a threat was made with intent to coerce or harm may create prosecution challenges, particularly in digital communications with ambiguous language
  • First Amendment/Free expression concerns: Critics may argue that criminalizing certain speech, even threatening speech, requires careful constitutional balancing in Puerto Rico's legal framework

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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