Introduced bill would set felony levels and child support interest

The introduced text would classify knowing possession of certain obscene images as a third-degree felony and intentional distribution as a second-degree felony. The possession rule covers obscene visual or print images of prohibited sexual acts or simulations involving a child under 18. The distribution rule covers intentional sharing of such images. The person must know, or have reason to know, that the image shows a prohibited sexual act or simulation involving a child under 18. For possession, the text exempts certain images possessed by a child aged 14 to 18 when the depicted child knowingly and voluntarily consented to possession and either consented to creation or made the image without coercion. The exemption does not cover images resulting from coercion. If a court or jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a child shown in a possessed image is under 13, the basic sentence would increase by five years; the first three years of that increase must be served and cannot be suspended or deferred. For a youthful offender, the increase may be one year.

The introduced text would set interest on delinquent child support payments at six and one-half percent. The six-and-one-half-percent rate applies to delinquent child support payments, while consolidated judgments have a separate four-percent rate. Interest on a consolidated judgment for delinquent child support would be four percent. Interest on a delinquent payment would accrue from the date it becomes delinquent until it is paid.