David M. Apatang
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang has approved House Bill 24-1, strengthening the Commonwealth’s law against sexual abuse.
Authored by House Floor Leader Marissa Flores, H.B. 24-1 — now Public Law 24-8 — amends Public Law 12-82, the CNMI statute against sexual abuse of minors.
The new law aims “to deter these crimes and ensure offenders are held accountable; the safety and well-being of both children and adult victims depend on the protection and support we provide.”
It strengthens the laws regarding the sexual abuse of minors and sexual assault by simplifying statutory language, removing barriers to prosecution, and introducing a long-overdue voyeurism statute — a critical step due to increased access to technology such as hidden cameras and online dissemination, which has made children and vulnerable individuals more susceptible to exploitation.
P.L. 24-8 also raises the age limit for persons with whom sexual penetration is prohibited from 13 to 15 years old “to better protect minors.” This change “aligns with most jurisdictions that have raised their ages of consent to offer increased protection for minors and enhance the overall safety of the community.”
The law further provides stronger protection for minors against voyeurism. According to P.L. 24-8, a specific voyeurism statute will address the rise in such acts, create stiffer penalties to hold offenders accountable, and recognize the emotional and psychological harm to victims.
Under the law, it is now unlawful to knowingly invade the privacy of another person without their knowledge for the purpose of sexual stimulation. A person’s privacy is considered invaded if both of the following apply:
• The person has a reasonable expectation that they will not be viewed, photographed, videotaped, filmed, or digitally recorded.
• The person is photographed, videotaped, filmed, digitally recorded, or otherwise viewed — with or without a device — either: while in a state of undress or partial dress; while engaged in sexual intercourse or sexual contact; while urinating or defecating; or in a manner that directly or indirectly captures or allows the viewing of the person’s genitalia, buttocks, or female breast, whether clothed or unclothed, that is not otherwise visible to the public.
In addition, P.L. 24-8 makes it unlawful for any person to capture, disclose, display, distribute, attempt to distribute, threaten to distribute, or publish a photograph, videotape, film, or digital recording made for sexual stimulation for self or others.
