The House of Representatives in American Samoa has approved in final reading a bill which would increase the penalties for furnishing pornographic materials to minors and public display of explicit sexual material.
The bill increases the offence from a misdemeanor to a felony, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and or a fine of 5,000 US dollars.
The bill states that a person commits a crime under this statue by producing or showing minors any material containing pornography or showing explicit sexual material or failing to remove such display after learning it exists.
The bill was was one last introduced by Senator Tuanaitau Tuia who died last week at the age of 89.
He was the longest serving lawmaker in the territory, and served as Speaker of the House for 18 years.
