House Passes Staats, Labs Bill to Strengthen Penalties for “Upskirting”
March 16, 2021
HARRISBURG -Today, the House passed legislation, sponsored by Bucks County Reps. Craig Staats and Shelby Labs, which takes aim at a form of child sexual abuse known as “upskirting” whereby an adult takes photos up the skirts of unsuspecting individuals and posts the images online.
“Upskirting is an extremely traumatizing form of sexual abuse, particularly for teenage girls,” said Staats. “We cannot begin to imagine the shame, betrayal and anxiety victims feel when these images are posted and shared online for friends, family and everyone else to see. This happened to several female students in a school that serves both of our legislative districts when a male teacher took “upskirt” photographs and posted them to illicit websites. Our legislation would assign strong penalties to this disgusting and destructive crime.”
House Bill 163 would dramatically increase the charges that can be brought against teachers and other adults who victimize students and other minors in this manner. The bill would make upskirting a felony of the third degree for a first offense and a felony of the second degree for subsequent offenses.
House Bill 163 received unanimous approval in the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
To see Staats’ comments on the legislation, visit here.
Representative Craig Staats
145th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
RepStaats.net / Facebook.com/RepStaats
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