Bill > HB1169

This bill addresses the legal framework surrounding fabricated depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, expanding existing laws to include digitally created or altered images that may not depict an identifiable specific person. The legislature recognizes the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital technologies that can create highly realistic images of minors in sexually explicit scenarios, even when no actual minor is involved. The bill modifies several existing statutes to broaden the definition of "fabricated depiction" to include computer-generated or digitally altered images that are obscene, removing the previous requirement that the minor be identifiable. Key changes include updating definitions related to digitization, sexually explicit conduct, and visual or printed matter, and ensuring that laws prohibiting the creation, distribution, possession, and viewing of such depictions apply to fabricated images, regardless of whether they represent a real, identifiable person. The bill maintains existing penalties for such offenses, which range from misdemeanors to class B felonies depending on the specific circumstances, and explicitly states that the state is not required to prove the existence of the depicted minor in cases involving fabricated depictions.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1169&Year=2025&Initiative=false