I’ve seen many stupid things over the years, but this new proposed Oklahoma law to ban sexting might top the list.  I can still barely wrap my mind around how insane this new proposed law is.

Oklahoma’s Senator Dusty Deevers, known for his staunch conservative beliefs, has introduced a radical bill that seeks to criminalize the act of sexting for single individuals. The proposed law, which could land offenders in prison for up to 20 years, has stirred controversy and debate.

Deevers, a Baptist pastor who entered the political arena in December 2023, is swiftly pushing forward his agenda, which includes advocating for traditional values and attempting to abolish no-fault divorce in Oklahoma. The latest in his series of legislative proposals is a sweeping anti-pornography bill.

The bill proposes to outlaw all forms of pornography and includes severe penalties for single individuals caught sexting, as well as potential jail time for recipients of such messages.

“This bill is broad enough to include any person’s like butt selfie for example, it includes live performances in play. So that would seem to include strip clubs definitely and maybe also burlesque and drag performances and things like that,” Nolan Brown, senior editor at Reason Magazine explained. The bill has a peculiar clause that exempts married couples from these restrictions, allowing them to sext each other without legal repercussions.

While Nolan Brown expressed skepticism about the bill’s passage in Oklahoma, she warned of a rising trend among Republican lawmakers to draft overly broad legislation that extremists could exploit. “We’re seeing similar sort of attitudes, similar legislation, in state houses around the country,” she added.

The proposed Oklahoma Senate Bill 1976, introduced by Deevers, is set to be formally presented on February 5. It aims to redefine a broad category of content as “unlawful pornography,” encompassing a wide array of sexually charged adult activities, extending well beyond traditional definitions of pornography.

The bill’s expansive reach could impact a variety of sexual expressions, potentially affecting everything from individual performers in adult videos to those who engage in live shows with sexual elements, such as strippers, drag performers, and burlesque dancers. The legislation would also pose a significant challenge to distribution platforms, compelling them to either block Oklahoma users or stringently moderate adult content.

In a manner reminiscent of Texas’ “abortion bounty law,” the bill allows for private lawsuits against individuals or entities believed to be involved in the production or distribution of “unlawful porn.” The criminal enforcement aspect of the law makes it a felony to view “obscene materials,” with severe penalties for violations.

The proposed law has sparked concern among free speech advocates, as it represents a significant challenge to the First Amendment. Critics argue that the bill’s broad scope could lead to significant legal and social implications, potentially setting a precedent for further restrictions on sexual expression and personal freedoms.

Senator Deevers’ initiative reflects a wider movement within the GOP, characterized by an increasing focus on regulating porn and related expressions. The push extends beyond state legislatures, with prominent national figures and conservative groups calling for stricter controls on sexual content.

As the debate over the Oklahoma bill and similar legislation continues, how lawmakers will navigate the complex intersection of free speech, personal liberty, and public morality in the digital age remains to be seen.