Hearing on Bill to Close Child Porn Loophole Scheduled for Monday

The hearing on Senator Bill Diamond’s  (D-Cumberland County) legislation to close a loophole in the state’s laws concerning child pornography will have its legislative hearing on Monday, March 14.  The LD 580, is entitled “An Act to Protect Children from Sexual Predators,” and it will be heard before the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee at 10:00 am in Room 436 of the State House.
 
Senator Diamond found out about the loophole when a teacher who admitted to viewing hundreds of images of child pornography was acquitted at trial because Maine law only covers possession, not viewing.
 
“I have always been proud of our states laws against sexual predators, and I was surprised when I heard about this case,” Senator Diamond said.  “Here was a person in a position of trust, with constant exposure to young people, who admitted to viewing child pornography, and yet was able to walk because of a technicality.”
 
“This bill will make it a crime if someone knowingly accesses child pornography with intent to view,” Senator Diamond stated.  “It does not, however, target anyone who views legal material on the internet or accidentally brings up an illegal site.  It is narrowly focused on predators who intentionally seek out illegal child pornography.”