The measure targets "sexting," the practice of sending explicit photos by cell phone, e-mail or Internet posts. It's a nationwide problem that has confounded parents, school administrators and law enforcement.
The bill that cleared the Senate committee would give first-time offenders the chance to complete an education program.
The bill was unanimously approved in the Assembly in March. It now heads for a vote in the full Senate.
Lawmakers took up the issue after a 14-year-old New Jersey girl allegedly posted nude pictures of herself on MySpace and was arrested on child pornography charges last summer. She eventually received probation and court-ordered counseling.
