O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 23-123—HB 6737
Judiciary Committee
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CRIME OF HARMFUL
COMMUNICATION WITH A MINOR
SUMMARY: This act establishes a new crime of harmful communication with a
minor as a class A misdemeanor (see Table on Penalties). Anyone who is age 25 or
older is guilty of this crime when he or she 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.
Under the act, a violation may be deemed to have been committed either at the
place where the communication originated or where it was received.
Under the act, “inappropriate relationship” and “harmful to the minor” mean a
relationship with a minor, or communication with a minor, respectively, that is
patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community on what is
suitable 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).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023