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Committee Advances Bill Expanding Tools to Investigate Online Child Exploitation; DOJ and Task Force Cite Rising Cybertips
Summary
House Bill 82 would expand statutes governing online exploitation of children, allow undercover officers to stand in for child victims in certain online stings, and add related prosecutorial tools. Department of Justice witnesses and the state's Internet Crimes Against Children commander reported a sharp rise in cyber tips and urged passage.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on House Bill 82, which would amend multiple statutes to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute online sexual exploitation of children, including activity involving artificial intelligence and sextortion.
Sponsor Representative Cathy Love said the bill aims "to help us keep up with the times" by updating statutes for an era of social media and AI-driven exploitation. The Department of Justice requested the changes and witnesses characterized the measure as a collection of targeted, technology‑focused tools for investigators and prosecutors.
Alex Sturhan, director of external affairs for the Montana Department of Justice, said the bill was requested by the DOJ and described it as "another tool in…
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