IndianaBill would set penalties for nonconsensual computer-made sexual images
People who create, possess, or share computer-made sexual images that appear to show someone without that person's consent could face criminal penalties.
What it does
A person who creates or possesses a computer-made or edited sexual image without the depicted person's consent could face a misdemeanor, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.
Sharing a covered computer-made or edited sexual image without the depicted person's consent could bring a misdemeanor; a prior conviction for this offense raises it to a felony.
Argument forPeople depicted without consent could have criminal penalties used against those who create, keep, or share the images.
Argument againstPeople could face criminal penalties for possessing an image without consent, even if they never share it.
More detail
A person who creates or possesses a covered image without consent would face a misdemeanor or, after more than one prior unrelated conviction, a felony. The image must be made or edited with artificial intelligence, software, an application, or another editing tool; it must show specified sexual conduct or exposed body parts and appear to depict an individual. The section excludes images distributed to report a possible crime, aid a criminal investigation, or under a court order, as well as distribution by news or entertainment media. It also excludes newspaper or news services that publish online, cloud service providers, and certain internet providers and search engines. The internet providers and search engines must solely connect users to content they do not control and must not be responsible for creating or publishing the specified content harmful to minors. One prior unrelated conviction raises this offense to a Class A misdemeanor; more than one raises it to a Level 6 felony. If enacted, this provision is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
A person who distributes a covered image without consent would face a misdemeanor or, after a prior unrelated conviction for this offense, a felony. The image must be made or edited with artificial intelligence, software, an application, or another editing tool; it must show specified sexual conduct or exposed body parts and appear to depict an individual. The section excludes images distributed to report a possible crime, aid a criminal investigation, or under a court order, as well as distribution by news or entertainment media. It also excludes newspaper or news services that publish online, cloud service providers, and certain internet providers and search engines. The internet providers and search engines must solely connect users to content they do not control and must not be responsible for creating or publishing the specified content harmful to minors. A prior unrelated conviction for this distribution offense raises it to a felony. If enacted, this provision is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 5Coauthored by Representative HaggardLatest
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeMinor
- Jan 5Authored by Representative BauerIntroduced
Criminal JusticeTechnology