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MT HB82: Generally revise laws related to crimes against children

Effective Jul 1, 2025 Montana · 2025 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

HB82 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Jul 1, 2025
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Montana's HB 82 (Chapter 102 of 2025) brings AI-made child sexual abuse images into the offense of sexual abuse of children. Knowingly possessing computer-generated child pornography is now covered. That term means a visual depiction of a real minor altered to show prohibited sexual conduct, of a real adult altered to appear as a minor in such conduct, or of an individual indistinguishable from a real minor created with artificial intelligence or other computer technology. The act also creates the crime of grooming a child for a sexual offense and covers stings where the 'child' is an officer. Effective July 1, 2025.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Possessing AI-generated sexual images of children is prosecuted in Montana as sexual abuse of children, with no need to show a real child was used.

Key provisions

  1. 45-5-625(1)(e): knowingly possessing any computer-generated child pornography in which a child is engaged in sexual conduct, actual or simulated, is sexual abuse of children
  2. Computer-generated child pornography: depictions of an actual minor, or an actual adult portrayed as a minor, created, adapted or modified to show prohibited sexual conduct
  3. It also covers an individual indistinguishable from an actual minor created by the use of artificial intelligence or other computer technology
  4. It is not a defense that the perceived child was an adult or a law enforcement officer
  5. Creates the offense of grooming a child for a sexual offense and adds it to the definition of sexual offense
  6. Effective July 1, 2025

Latest legislative action

Apr 7, 2025. Signed by Governor; Chapter 102

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Deepfakes

Affected industries

TechnologyMedia

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Montana

All Montana bills →
SB413 Criminalize disclosure of certain explicit AI-generated media HB514 Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images HB513 Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penal SB25 Revise election laws regarding disclosure requirements for the use of AI in elec SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology HB178 Limit government use of AI systems

Same topic in other states

New Hampshire SB300 Criminalizing the creation of child intimate visual representations Idaho H0465 CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the cri Oklahoma HB3642 Crimes and punishments; Oklahoma Law on Obscenity and Child Pornography; scope o Nebraska LB383 Adopt the Parental Rights in Social Media Act, rename the Child Pornography Prev Florida H0757 Sexual Images Utah HB148 Artificial Pornographic Images Amendments