Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

1. "Disseminate" means to manufacture, publish, send, promulgate, distribute, exhibit, issue, furnish, sell or transfer or to offer or agree to do any of these acts.

[PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

2. "Minor" means a person who has not attained 18 years of age.

[PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

3. "Photograph" means to make, capture, generate or save a print, negative, slide, motion picture, computer data file, videotape or other mechanically, electronically or chemically reproduced visual image or material.

[PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

4. "Sexually explicit conduct" means any of the following acts:

A. A sexual act; [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

B. Bestiality; [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

C. Masturbation; [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

D. Sadomasochistic abuse for the purpose of sexual stimulation; [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

E. Lewd exhibition of the genitals, anus or pubic area of a person. An exhibition is considered lewd if the exhibition is designed for the purpose of eliciting or attempting to elicit a sexual response in the intended viewer; or [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

F. Conduct that creates the appearance of the acts in paragraphs A to D and also exhibits any uncovered or covered portions of the genitals, anus or pubic area. [PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

[PL 2003, c. 711, Pt. B, §12 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 711, §B12 (NEW).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2009–2024 · leading case: State of Maine v. Andrew J. Legassie, 2017 ME 202 (Me. 2017).

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State of Maine v. Andrew J. Legassie, 2017 ME 202 (Me. 2017). · cites it 2× “§ 282(1)(A) (2014) has since been amended to, among other things, lower the age at which a target of the exploitation ceases to be a "minor” for purposes of the statute from eighteen, see 17-A M.R.S. § 281(2) (2016); 17-A M.R.S. § 282(1)(A) (2014), to sixteen.”

State of Tennessee v. Thomas Whited, 506 S.W.3d 416 (Tenn. 2016). “1 (7)(g) (2015); Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(4)(E) (2006); Mont.”

State v. Nadeau, 2010 ME 71 (Me. 2010). “Visual images depicting persons under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in 17-A M.R.S.A. § 281(4). 2. Computer records or data that are evidence of the intentional or knowing manufacture, possession, or dissemination of sexually explicit materials,…”

United States v. Cameron, 652 F. Supp. 2d 74 (D. Me. 2009). · cites it 2× “He says the warrant contained two parts, “Property/Evidenee to be Seized,” and a seizure section, which expressly referenced the computers, computer records or data, and visual images in any form that would be illegal under 17-A M.R.S.A. § 281(4). 4 Id. at 12. He says that the…”

State of Maine v. Ricky Whitney, 2024 ME 49 (Me. 2024). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 281(3) (2024). 2Whitney was on probation for earlier convictions stemming from an incident with his former partner, the mother of the minor in this case.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(2) — 1 case

State of Maine v. Andrew J. Legassie, 2017 ME 202 (Me. 2017). “§ 282(1)(A) (2014) has since been amended to, among other things, lower the age at which a target of the exploitation ceases to be a "minor” for purposes of the statute from eighteen, see 17-A M.R.S. § 281(2) (2016); 17-A M.R.S. § 282(1)(A) (2014), to sixteen.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(3) — 1 case

State of Maine v. Ricky Whitney, 2024 ME 49 (Me. 2024). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 281(3) (2024). 2Whitney was on probation for earlier convictions stemming from an incident with his former partner, the mother of the minor in this case.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(4) — 2 cases

State v. Nadeau, 2010 ME 71 (Me. 2010). “Visual images depicting persons under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in 17-A M.R.S.A. § 281(4). 2. Computer records or data that are evidence of the intentional or knowing manufacture, possession, or dissemination of sexually explicit materials,…”

United States v. Cameron, 652 F. Supp. 2d 74 (D. Me. 2009). “He says the warrant contained two parts, “Property/Evidenee to be Seized,” and a seizure section, which expressly referenced the computers, computer records or data, and visual images in any form that would be illegal under 17-A M.R.S.A. § 281(4). 4 Id. at 12. He says that the…”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(4)(E) — 1 case

State of Tennessee v. Thomas Whited, 506 S.W.3d 416 (Tenn. 2016). “1 (7)(g) (2015); Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 281(4)(E) (2006); Mont.”

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