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WV SB741: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution or possession of artificially generated child pornography

Dead/Failed West Virginia · 2024 session

Last verified May 22, 2026 · official bill text

SB741 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Mar 8, 2024.

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.
Signed / enacted
Signed into law; it may or may not be in effect yet.
In effect
The effective date has passed.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

This bill criminalizes the creation, distribution, or possession of AI-generated child pornography, even if no actual minors are depicted.

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

What it means for business

If you create or distribute AI-generated content, you must ensure it does not depict minors in sexually explicit conduct or face severe penalties.

What this means

Senate Bill 741 aims to combat the issue of AI-generated child pornography by establishing criminal offenses for creating, distributing, or possessing such content. The bill emphasizes that even without actual minors depicted, the use of AI in this context poses a serious threat to children.

Key provisions

  1. Criminalizes the creation, production, distribution, or possession of AI-generated child pornography.
  2. Defines 'artificial intelligence-created visual depiction' and 'minor' for legal clarity.
  3. Establishes penalties including fines and imprisonment for violations.
  4. Clarifies that the depicted minor need not actually exist.
  5. Finds that AI-generated content poses a serious threat to children.
  6. Emphasizes the need for criminalization to protect minors.

Compliance checklist

  • Ensure no AI-generated content depicts minors in sexually explicit conduct. Who: Content creators and distributors using AI technologies. Penalty: Felony charges, fines up to $20,000, and imprisonment.

Latest legislative action

Mar 8, 2024. On 3rd reading with right to amend, Special Calendar

Full analysis

Senate Bill 741 establishes criminal offenses related to the creation, production, distribution, and possession of artificial intelligence-generated visual depictions of child pornography. It specifically targets content that depicts minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, regardless of whether actual minors are involved. The bill mandates that individuals who knowingly engage in these activities can face felony charges, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment for one to ten years. Key definitions include 'artificial intelligence-created visual depiction' and 'minor,' which are crucial for understanding the scope of the law. The bill aims to protect children from potential harm posed by AI technologies in the realm of child exploitation.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 11)

NameRoleDistrict
R Sponsor SD-004
R Sponsor SD-015
R Sponsor SD-001
D Sponsor SD-008
R Sponsor SD-007

Roll call votes

S Passed Senate (Roll No. 186) Feb 20, 2024

34 yea0 nayPassed

Amendments (2)

  • sb741 hjud am. _1 3-4 Not adopted 2024-03-04
  • sb741 h jud amt Not adopted 2024-03-08

Related and companion bills

Topics and industries

Affected industries

MediaLaw Enforcement

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

More West Virginia AI legislation

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HB3187 Relating to the West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence HB5690 Creating a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence SB198 Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially ge HR3 Creating a Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence HB4496 To force any media/internet creator providing artificial intelligence created vi SB70 Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities