Section 18-7-901 - Unlawful distribution of a suicide recording - definitions - Lil' Von Mercado's Law(1) A person commits the offense of posting an image of suicide of a minor if the person intentionally posts or distributes through the use of social media or any website, or disseminates through other means, an image of a minor attempting suicide, dying by suicide, or having died by suicide, with the intent to harass, intimidate, or coerce any person, and the posting or distribution results in serious emotional distress to any person.(2) Posting an image of suicide as described in subsection (1) of this section of a minor is a civil infraction and is punishable by a penalty of one hundred dollars per violation; except that posting an image of suicide of a minor is a class 2 misdemeanor if the person was the first or original person to post, distribute, or disseminate the image.(3) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Image" means a photograph, film, videotape, recording, digital file, or other reproduction.(b) "Social media" means any electronic medium, including an interactive computer service, telephone network, or data network, that allows users to create, share, and view user-generated content, including but not limited to videos, still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant messages, electronic mail, or internet website profiles.(4) It is not an offense under this section if the posting or distribution of the image is a fictional work or a documentary; or is related to a matter of public interest or public concern; or related to the reporting of unlawful conduct; or the lawful and common practices of law enforcement, criminal reporting, legal proceedings, or medical treatment.(5) This section is known as and may be cited as "Lil' Von Mercado's Law".Amended by 2021 Ch. 462, § 271, eff. 3/1/2022.Added by 2019 Ch. 388, § 1, eff. 8/2/2019.L. 2019: Entire part added, (HB 19-1334), ch. 3455, p. 3455, § 1, effective August 2. L. 2021: (2) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 3194, p. 3194, § 271, effective 3/1/2022.Section 803(2) of chapter 462 (SB 21-271), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act changing this section applies to offenses committed on or after March 1, 2022.
2021 Ch. 462, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).