IndianaIndiana would punish recording naked or underwear-covered genitals, pubic area, or buttocks without consent
Recording someone's naked or underwear-covered genitals, pubic area, or buttocks without consent would be a crime, and certain registered sex offenders who knowingly approach children in public parks would commit a felony.
What it does
Someone who records another person's naked or underwear-covered genitals, pubic area, or buttocks without consent would commit a misdemeanor, without proof they meant to spy. Publishing or sharing the image could make it a felony.
Certain registered sex offenders who knowingly approach or communicate with a child under 18 in a public park would commit a felony. A parent or legal guardian would have a defense.
Someone seeking to remove a public registry listing or ease registration rules through either status review would also need a separate petition under the law-change review process.
If a court sets a hearing on a request to end either sex offender label, it would notify state officials, relevant prosecutors, and the local sheriff.
Indiana would list child services family case managers among first responders. It would also include their department among public safety agencies.
Argument forPeople whose naked or underwear-covered private parts are recorded without consent could have their cases addressed even without proof the recorder meant to spy.
Argument againstCovered people could face felony charges for a brief park conversation with a child, though the child's parent or legal guardian could raise a defense.
More detail
Recording another person's naked or underwear-covered genitals, pubic area, or buttocks without consent would be a Class A misdemeanor. The rule covers recordings of genitals, the pubic area, or buttocks when naked or covered by underwear. A prior conviction under this section, publishing the image, or sharing it would make the offense a Level 6 felony. This section would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Certain registered sex offenders who knowingly approach or communicate with a child in a public park would commit a Level 6 felony. The rule covers registered sex offenders found to be sexually violent predators or convicted of specified sex offenses. The child must be under 18. Being the child's parent or legal guardian would be a defense to prosecution. The park offense would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
A court could remove a public registry listing or ease registration rules during a status review only if the person also filed a separate registry petition. This applies to reviews of a 'sexually violent predator' or 'offender against children' label. The separate petition process applies when a change in federal or state law after June 30, 2007, would remove or reduce the person's registration duties. The petition requirement would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
A court that sets a hearing on either kind of status petition would notify specified state and local officials. The hearings concern requests to end a 'sexually violent predator' or 'offender against children' label. Notice goes to the department, attorney general, relevant prosecutors, and the local sheriff. The notice requirement applies if the court sets a hearing; the court may dismiss a petition without one. The notice requirement would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Indiana would designate family case managers as first responders and include their department among public safety agencies. A family case manager is a Department of Child Services employee classified in that role. These classifications would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 12Representative Smaltz added as coauthorLatest
- Jan 5Authored by Representative Goss-Reaves
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety