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HB 235

Relating to civil and criminal liability for the unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ryan Guillen and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill criminalizes and creates civil liability for non-consensual distribution of intimate images, addressing digital revenge porn with criminal penalties and victim lawsuits.

Left pending in committee
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Bill Summary · HB 235

Legislative bill overview

HB 235 creates civil and criminal liability for the unauthorized disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material (commonly known as "revenge porn" laws). The bill establishes legal consequences for individuals who distribute explicit images or videos of another person without consent, addressing a gap in Texas law regarding non-consensual pornography.

Why is this important

Non-consensual intimate image sharing causes documented psychological harm to victims and is increasingly used as a tool for harassment, extortion, and abuse. Texas currently lacks comprehensive statutory protections specifically criminalizing this behavior, leaving victims with limited legal recourse despite the prevalence of the problem in the digital age.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "intimate visual material": Determining what constitutes intimate imagery (artistic vs. pornographic, digitally altered vs. authentic) could create enforcement and prosecutorial challenges
  • First Amendment concerns: Free speech advocates may argue the law could chill protected expression or be applied too broadly to social media sharing, parody, or newsworthy content
  • Civil liability scope: The civil liability provision could expose individuals to lawsuits, raising questions about damages caps, statute of limitations, and whether it adequately protects defendants from frivolous claims
  • Consent and context: Cases involving leaked private messages, screenshots from consensual relationships, or consensually-created content later shared could create gray areas in application

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

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