Researcher: DC Page 1 5/31/23
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6737 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CRIME OF HARMFUL
COMMUNICATION WITH A MINOR.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a new crime of harmful communication with a
minor as a class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to 364 days
imprisonment, up to a $2,000 fine, or both).
Anyone who is age 25 or older is guilty of this crime when the person
uses an interactive computer service or text message to knowingly
persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a “minor” (i.e., anyone under age 18
or whom the actor reasonably believes to be under age 18) to do the
following:
1. share a photographic or recorded image of the minor (a) for
sexual gratification of the person who requests the image or (b)
which the requestor then disseminates to one or more third
persons for their sexual gratification or
2. engage in any communication that is (a) part of a pattern of
communication or behavior designed to form or maintain an
inappropriate relationship with the minor or (b) “harmful to the
minor” (i.e., patently offensive to prevailing standards in the
adult community as a whole regarding what is a suitable form of
communication between an adult and a minor).
Under the bill, a violation may be deemed to have been committed
either at the place where the communication originated or where it was
received.
The bill defines an “inappropriate relationship” as a relationship that
is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as 2023HB-06737-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 5/31/23
a whole regarding what is a suitable relationship between an adult and
a minor. Additionally, an “interactive computer service” is any
information service, system, or access software provider that provides
or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server,
including a service or system that provides access to the Internet and
those systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational
institutions (CGS § 53a-90a).
*House Amendment “A” increases the minimum age a person must
be to commit the crime, from age 21 to 25.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 37 Nay 0 (03/27/2023)