Bill > HB1386

This bill amends North Dakota state law to update definitions and penalties related to possessing materials depicting sexual conduct involving minors, with a specific new focus on computer-generated images. The bill introduces a new definition of "computer-generated image" as a visual representation created through artificial intelligence or computer programming, and expands the definition of "minor" to include computer-generated images that appear to depict someone under 18 years old. The legislation maintains existing criminal penalties for possessing visual representations of sexual conduct involving minors, but now explicitly includes computer-generated images in this prohibition. The bill establishes different levels of criminal offense based on the number and nature of images, with more severe penalties for cases involving multiple images, depictions of violence, sexual bestiality, or images involving very young minors. Importantly, the bill includes a provision that protects internet service providers, cloud computing providers, and telecommunication service networks from liability for content provided by other individuals. The changes aim to address emerging technologies that can create sexually explicit images of minors without using actual children, while maintaining legal protections against the exploitation of minors.

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https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1386.html