JUNEAU, Alaska — The House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a bill addressing the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital manipulation technologies that threaten children and vulnerable individuals.
House Bill 47, by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, highlights the urgent need for updated Alaska statutes to address the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital manipulation technologies that threaten children and vulnerable individuals. The bill closes critical gaps in current law and equips prosecutors with stronger tools to combat emerging forms of exploitation.
House Bill 47, titled “Generated Obscene Child Sex Abuse Material,” directly responds to rapid advancements in AI that enable the creation of highly realistic obscene material depicting minors. Current statutes fail to adequately address the obscene material because they require proof of harm to an actual child. A decade ago, such threats were unimaginable, but today prosecutors are often left without sufficient legal remedies.
The core provision of HB 47 criminalizes the creation, possession, and distribution of AI-generated obscene child sexual abuse material (CSAM) at the same felony level as material involving real children, treating synthetic depictions with equivalent severity.
Other key provisions include:
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Establishing clear criminal penalties for distributing deepfakes or forged digital likenesses—sexually explicit images that are digitally fabricated or manipulated to depict a real person without their consent. This applies to both adults and minors.
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Creating civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms against organizations or online platforms that knowingly facilitate the creation and distribution of CSAM.
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Enhancing protections for minors on social media and online platforms from exploitation and harmful digital practices.
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Updating licensing and certification requirements to revoke teaching certificates and school bus driver licenses for individuals convicted of these crimes, ensuring those who harm children face serious professional consequences.
“AI-generated CSAM poses serious risks to children by enabling perpetrators to produce highly realistic virtual images of child abuse,” Rep. Vance said. “This bill modernizes our criminal code to reflect present-day realities. It ensures accountability for those who exploit children, whether through traditional means or cutting-edge technology, and sends a clear message: Alaska will treat these crimes seriously.”
HB 47 advances deterrence, supports prosecutors in securing convictions against predators, and reaffirms Alaska’s commitment to protecting children and the vulnerable. By keeping pace with technological advances, the legislation empowers law enforcement to put pedophiles and exploiters behind bars.
The bill now goes to the Alaska Senate.
About Representative Sarah Vance: Rep. Sarah Vance represents District 6 (Homer and surrounding areas) in the Alaska House of Representatives. She is a strong advocate for public safety and child protection.
Media Contact: Naresh Shrestha, 907-465-2689