Bill > SB626

This bill expands Oregon's child sexual abuse laws to explicitly include digitally-created or artificially generated images that appear to depict child sexual abuse. The legislation modifies existing statutes to broaden the definition of "visual depiction" to encompass computer-generated, digital, and AI-created images and videos that simulate sexually explicit conduct involving children. Specifically, the bill amends three criminal offenses - encouraging child sexual abuse in the first, second, and third degrees - to include visual depictions that "appear to constitute" child abuse, even if they are not actual photographs or recordings of real children. The changes mean that individuals who knowingly develop, possess, distribute, or pay to view computer-generated images depicting child sexual abuse can now be prosecuted under these expanded definitions. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage, with the stated purpose of preserving public peace, health, and safety. The legislation aims to address the growing technological capabilities that can produce highly realistic simulated images of child sexual abuse, closing potential legal loopholes in existing child protection statutes.

Justice

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB626