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Attorney General backs AB35 to rename and update law on child sexual abuse material and AI‑generated images
Summary
Attorney General Aaron Ford told the Assembly Judiciary Committee AB35 would change statutory language to 'child sexual abuse material (CSAM)' and prohibit certain AI‑generated images of children; the sponsor said the amendment removed several initial sections and the bill aligns Nevada with other states and federal terminology changes.
Attorney General Aaron Ford presented Assembly Bill 35 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee, saying the measure "seeks to protect children in the rapidly growing, and changing world of artificial intelligence." Ford said AB35 would prohibit the distribution, production or possession of computer‑generated images or images altered by AI that depict a child engaging in sexual conduct and would change statutory language to "child sexual abuse material" (CSAM) to better reflect the crime and harm to victims.
Ford noted that the change in nomenclature is in use elsewhere and that "this change in language is something that is happening across the nation." He cited seven states that have adopted similar laws and said the U.S. Department of Justice adopted the language change effective 2023. Ford also said he supports a companion Senate bill introduced earlier in the week and that his bill fills a nomenclature gap not covered in that bill.
Committee members asked process questions about the scope of the legislative directive to update language across statutes. Michael Morton, assisting the presentation, said the amendment captures many existing instances and that sections 30 and 31 direct Legislative Counsel Bureau (and possibly agencies) to use the new language going forward when codifying or drafting new laws.
Assemblymember Cole asked about the initial language on receipt standards and the meaning of "knows or reasonably should know." Ford responded that the amendment deletes sections 1 through 5 of the initial version of the bill, addressing that concern.
Supporters who testified included representatives of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, both of whom said they supported AB35. No callers voiced opposition; the committee closed the hearing with no final passage vote taken that day.
Ending: Committee members and law enforcement representatives voiced support; the bill will proceed through the legislative process with the sponsor and counsel to refine statutory drafting and cross‑references.
