House reconsiders and amends bill banning AI-generated child sexual abuse material; adds civil remedy for minors

The House revisited Senate Bill 42 and approved an amendment adding a civil cause of action for minors who are depicted in child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated images, before re-passing the measure.

Representative Bachland introduced the bill as a modernization of existing law to cover AI-created images and videos of children. The floor initially passed the bill; members later moved to call SB 42 from the table and reconsider the vote to permit a floor amendment offered by Representative Amade. The amendment "adds a cause of action so that a person who is a minor and who has been harmed as a result of being depicted in child sexual abuse material shall have a cause of action for damages," Amade said on the floor. Members adopted the amendment without objection, and the House recorded the bill's re-passage following reconsideration.

Why it matters: Sponsors described the change as bringing statutes up to date with current technology, where generative AI can produce sexualized images of children without use of actual photographs; the amendment creates a civil pathway for harmed minors to seek damages.

Procedure and outcome: The bill was first introduced and passed on the floor; after members voted to recall the measure from the table they adopted the amendment and re-passed SB 42. Coauthor votes and a final tally were recorded during the session.