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AI Summary
This bill redefines 'child pornography' as 'child sexual abuse material' related to certain criminal offenses and includes AI-generated images.
Business Impact
If you use AI to generate images, you must ensure compliance with the new definition of child sexual abuse material by January 1, 2024, or face legal penalties.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
Maryland's HB1294 modernizes the legal framework for certain criminal offenses involving child sexual abuse material by replacing 'child pornography' with 'child sexual abuse material' and includes AI-generated images.
Key Provisions
- Terminology change from 'child pornography' to 'child sexual abuse material' related to certain criminal offenses.
- Definition of 'computer-generated image' includes AI-generated images.
Latest Legislative Action
Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 18)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Amprey | Primary |
| Charles | Primary |
| Guyton | Primary |
| Haynes | Primary |
| Mautz | Primary |
Roll Call Votes
On Third Reading ·
Mar 5, 2026
133 Yea
0 Nay
8 Other
Passed ✓
On Third Reading ·
Mar 23, 2025
28 Yea
17 Nay
2 Other
Passed ✓
On Third Reading ·
Mar 5, 2025
99 Yea
38 Nay
4 Other
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Update legal definitions in compliance documents
Who: Legal teams of technology companies and law enforcement agencies
Deadline: Upon enactment of the bill
Penalty: Potential legal repercussions for non-compliance
Who: Legal teams of technology companies and law enforcement agencies
Deadline: Upon enactment of the bill
Penalty: Potential legal repercussions for non-compliance
Implement content moderation practices for AI-generated images
Who: Technology developers and content platforms
Deadline: Upon enactment of the bill
Penalty: Legal consequences related to child sexual abuse material offenses
Who: Technology developers and content platforms
Deadline: Upon enactment of the bill
Penalty: Legal consequences related to child sexual abuse material offenses
Full Legal Analysis
HB1294 seeks to amend existing criminal law by changing the terminology from 'child pornography' to 'child sexual abuse material' related to certain criminal offenses. This change aligns legal language with contemporary understanding of the issue and includes AI-generated images.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View HB1294 on official legislature website →
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