Anti-child pornography measure goes to governor’s desk

FRANKFORT—A bill that would more tightly secure materials held in court proceedings that depict child pornography is on its way to becoming law.

House Bill 120, sponsored by Rep. Chad McCoy, R-Bardstown, received final passage by a vote of 83-0 today in House. The bill, which first passed the House in January, was amended and unanimously approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

“The point of this bill is stop the proliferation of child pornography through the court system, to make sure if it’s used as evidence it can’t be then further distributed,” said McCoy.

HB 120 requires that law enforcement or the prosecutor secure any child pornography or material depicting a sexual performance by a minor in their custody that is part a criminal or civil proceeding. Any request to copy the material by a defendant in the case would be prohibited as long as the material is made “reasonably available” at a designated facility to the defendant and his or her attorney for legal purposes.

The bill also specifies that the court would not be responsible for storing such material except by court order, and then only if the material is introduced as an exhibit for trial.

The bill now goes to the governor to be signed into law.

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Media Release from Legislative Research Commission