New Jersey Bill Protects "Sexting" Teens

The bill addresses the growing teen pastime of "sexting." It allows minors caught doing it for the first time to complete a diversionary program rather than get saddled with a criminal record that could keep them from entering college or getting a job.

Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt of Camden County, who sponsored the bill, said such prosecutions can unnecessarily clog the courts.

"We want to make sure these kids know they did something wrong," said Lampitt, a Democrat. "However, we don't want to send them off to jail. We don't want them to have a criminal record."

The bill would let teens caught sexting avoid prosecution, and perhaps have to register as Megan's Law offenders, if they complete an education program at their own cost.

The courts would decide which teenagers were eligible for the diversionary program. The attorney general's office would develop the curriculum.