Connecticut lawmakers are considering a way to keep young people off the state’s sex-offender registry if convicted of “sexting.”

Sexting — a contraction of “sex” and “texting” — is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, often between mobile phones.

Under existing law in Connecticut, sending or receiving text messages that include nude or sexual images falls under the state’s child-pornography statutes. Those convicted are put on a state sex-offender registry.

The proposed bill, which was being debated yesterday, would reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor when the sexting is between people 13 to 18 years of age who are in some sort of relationship.

“At times, minor children do foolish acts without appreciating the consequences of their actions,” said Rosa Rebimbas, a Republican state representative.

A 2009 survey conducted for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children found that 19 percent of teens had sent, received or forwarded nude or nearly nude photos through text message or e-mail.