Senate amendment clarifies civil remedy for intimate-image disclosures to cover new extortion offense

A Judiciary committee strike-and-insert amendment to House Bill 48-42 was adopted on the Senate floor, clarifying the reach of civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images.

The Junior Senator from the 15th explained the amendment, saying, "This bill clarifies that the civil cause of action for disclosure of intimate images applies to the newly created crime of ****** extortion, which was created in the 2025 regular session." He added that the amendment "simply added the aggravated offense and ensured that the joint and several liabilities imposed by this section doesn't conflict with existing code." The Senate adopted the committee amendment by voice vote and advanced the bill to third reading.

The transcript does not include a statutory citation for the newly created extortion offense; the Junior Senator referenced the 2025 regular session as the origin of that crime. The amendment, as presented on the floor, focuses on ensuring the civil cause of action covers that offense and on harmonizing liability language with current code.

The Senate moved the bill forward without recorded roll-call opposition noted in the floor transcript. Next steps are third reading and potential floor passage in a subsequent session day.