Teens younger than age 18 could face a misdemeanor charge, not a felony, for "sexting" under a bill filed in the Texas Legislature.
Sexting is cell phones are used, typically by teenagers, to send each other sexually explicit messages or images.
The measure by state Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin was endorsed Monday by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
The bill would reclassify a sexting offense as a Class C misdemeanor for underage first-time violators.
Current Texas law says anyone who transmits an explicit image of a teen can face felony charges of possessing or trafficking child pornography.
Watson's bill, filed last week, would also require school districts to provide education for students on the dangers of sexting.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
