Kentucky’s New Laws: Sextortion Declared a Felony, Classroom Cell Phone Ban, and Major Changes to University Policies

FRANKFORT, Ky. — New laws enacted by the Kentucky State legislature officially took effect on Friday, marking a significant shift in various areas of public policy including education, crime, and university operations. Among the most notable measures is Senate Bill 73, which categorizes sextortion as a felony in Kentucky. This law aims to facilitate legal action against offenders and enhance educational initiatives regarding the crime. Sextortion involves the coercion of a victim through threats of releasing sexually explicit material, often demanding money or sexual favors in exchange for silence. This legislative change aligns Kentucky with … Read more

Governor DeWine Signs 20 New Laws in Ohio, Excludes Key Proposals on Sextortion and Parents’ Rights

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a significant legislative push, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine finalized the signing of 20 bills on Thursday, concluding a busy session in the state legislature. This flurry of legislative activity came as lawmakers wrapped up their task during the lame duck session on Wednesday, racing to pass numerous bills before the year ends. While the governor sanctioned a wide array of legislation, two notable bills did not make the cut. These include ‘Braden’s Law,’ aimed at making sextortion a felony offense, and the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights,’ which would mandate that school … Read more

Jordan D’s Law: Michigan Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Tackle Online Sextortion and Honor Local Teen’s Memory

LANSING, Mich. — In an effort to combat the increasing menace of online sextortion, especially among minors, Michigan legislators have introduced a legislative package known as Jordan D’s Law, memorializing a teenage victim of this heinous crime. The law seeks to hold perpetrators accountable and ramp up preventive education against such online threats. The bills introduced by State Reps. John Fitzgerald, Kara Hope, and Jenn Hill are crafted in response to the tragic death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, who took his own life in 2022 after becoming a victim of sextortion. This crime … Read more