Bill Protecting Kids Victimized By 'Deepfakes' Heads To Governor

BUCKS COUNTY, PA – Legislation introduced by Reps. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) and Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster) requiring immediate law enforcement notification when mandated reporters become aware of suspected AI-generated child sexual abuse material has received final approval from the General Assembly and is headed to the governor.

House Bill 2474 would require mandated reporters to immediately notify law enforcement when they become aware of suspected child sexual abuse material involving artificial intelligence-generated deepfake images. The legislation is intended to prevent reporting delays that can allow sexually explicit material involving children to continue circulating and additional victims to be targeted.

“When someone becomes aware that a child has been victimized through this type of material, there should be no uncertainty about what happens next,” said Marcell. “Law enforcement needs to know immediately so investigators can act, stop the material from spreading and protect other children from becoming victims.”

The legislation was prompted in part by incidents in Bucks and Lancaster counties involving students who used artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of classmates.

In the Lancaster County case, school officials became aware of the conduct months before parents ultimately contacted law enforcement and charges were filed.

“This legislation closes a reporting gap exposed by cases that occurred in our own communities,” said Marcell. “Technology may change quickly, but our responsibility to protect children remains clear. When suspected child sexual abuse material is discovered, reporting it to law enforcement cannot wait.”

The House originally approved House Bill 2474 unanimously, 201-0, in May. The Senate subsequently approved an amended version of the legislation, and the House concurred in those amendments by a unanimous vote of 203-0.

House Bill 2474 now goes to the governor for consideration.

Rep. Kristin Marcell represents House District 178, which includes much of Northampton Township and all of Wrightstown, Warwick, and Upper Southampton townships.