Vermont lawmakers are trying to protect teens who send sexually graphic pictures and video via text messaging.

The practice is called "sexting" and under current child pornography laws, teens can be sent to jail if they are caught sending the images, even if it's consensual.

Teens could also be placed on the state's internet sex offender registry for life.

The Vermont Senate has passed a bill to make "sexting" exempt from that law and the state House is considering the measure.