Bill > HB0289

This bill amends several Utah statutes to expand the definition and scope of offenses related to child sexual abuse material, including "apparent child sexual abuse material" and "obscene child sexual abuse material," which are defined as visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, or depictions that appear to be of a real minor and are generated using artificial intelligence or other means, or depictions that are obscene and involve minors. These changes impact various areas of law, including public library internet access policies to block such material, sheriff's duties regarding prisoner access to certain documents, handling of child sexual abuse material by state departments, background checks for individuals with direct access to children or vulnerable adults, sex offender registration requirements, juvenile disposition guidelines, and definitions within the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit's purview. The bill also revises definitions and penalties for offenses related to child sexual abuse material, including possession, distribution, and unlawful activity involving obscene material depicting the sexual abuse of a minor, and updates provisions related to habitual violent offenders, repeat and habitual sex offenders, and the determination of whether material violates child exploitation laws. Furthermore, it modifies rules regarding the reproduction of child sexual abuse material in legal proceedings, forfeiture of property related to child sexual abuse material offenses, and adoption and custody proceedings to prohibit individuals convicted of certain child sexual abuse material offenses from adopting or gaining custody of minors, with specific exceptions and requirements for rehabilitation and risk assessment.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0289.html