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NC H591: AN ACT TO ESTABLISH SEXUAL EXTORTION OFFENSES, TO UPDATE OFFENSES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, TO UPDATE SEX OFFENDER AND PUBLIC PROTEC…

Effective Dec 1, 2024 North Carolina · 2023–2024 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

H591 · 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 Dec 1, 2024
What do these statuses mean?
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Enacted
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View full title

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH SEXUAL EXTORTION OFFENSES, TO UPDATE OFFENSES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, TO UPDATE SEX OFFENDER AND PUBLIC PROTECTION REGISTRATION PROGRAMS, AND TO CLARIFY THE OFFENSE OF DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE IMAGES.

In one paragraph

North Carolina's S.L. 2024-37 (Modernize Sex Crimes) updates sex crime laws for AI. The definition of "material" for sexual exploitation of a minor now covers digital or computer-generated depictions created, adapted or modified by technological means such as algorithms or artificial intelligence, and a new offense covers obscene visual representations of sexual exploitation of a minor. New sexual extortion offenses and the disclosure of private images offense cover realistic images made with algorithms or AI. It applies to offenses on or after Dec. 1, 2024.

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

What it means for business

AI image generators and platforms face criminal exposure if used to make or share AI-generated sexual images of minors or fabricated private images in North Carolina.

Key provisions

  1. G.S. 14-190.13: "material" includes digital or computer-generated depictions created, adapted or modified by technological means, such as algorithms or artificial intelligence
  2. New G.S. 14-190.17C: knowingly producing, distributing, receiving or possessing with intent to distribute an obscene visual representation of sexual exploitation of a minor is a Class E felony
  3. New G.S. 14-202.7: sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion; an "image" includes realistic depictions created or modified with algorithms or AI
  4. G.S. 14-190.5A (disclosure of private images) uses the same AI-inclusive definition of image
  5. Effective Dec. 1, 2024, for offenses committed on or after that date

Latest legislative action

Jul 8, 2024. Ch. SL 2024-37 (signed by the Governor July 8, 2024)

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Intimate Images

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 North Carolina

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H375 AI/Ban Deceptive Ads S257 2026 Appropriations Act. H814 Neighborhood Occupantless Vehicle. H462 Personal Data Privacy/Social Media Safety S640 AI Ethics and Literacy Across Education S735 AI Innovation Trust Fund

Same topic in other states

Florida H0757 Sexual Images Utah HB148 Artificial Pornographic Images Amendments Colorado SB25-288 Concerning preventing certain disclosures of intimate depictions, and, in connec Illinois HB4623 SEXUAL EXPLICIT DIGITAL IMAGE Louisiana SB175 Criminalizes deepfakes involving minors and defines the rights to digital image Kansas SB186 AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; modifying elements