Child-image offenses extend to dolls, mannequins and robots

The text as introduced · 428 words

89R1696 CJD-D

By: Guillen
H.B. No. 207

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the prosecution of certain criminal offenses

prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving an

anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot that has the

features of a child.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 43.26(i), Penal Code, is amended to read

as follows:

(i) For purposes of conduct prohibited under this section,

visual material to which that conduct applies includes a depiction

of a child:

(1) who is recognizable as an actual person by the

person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic,

such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature; and

(2) whose image as a child younger than 18 years of age

was used in creating, adapting, or modifying the visual material,

including computer-generated visual material :

(A) that was created, adapted, or modified using

an artificial intelligence application or other computer software ;

or

(B) that was printed or reproduced on an

anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot that has the

features of a child and that is intended to be used for sexual

stimulation or gratification .

SECTION 2. Section 43.262(b-1), Penal Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(b-1) For purposes of conduct prohibited under Subsection

(b), visual material to which that conduct applies includes a

depiction of a child:

(1) who is recognizable as an actual person by the

person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic,

such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature; and

(2) whose image as a child younger than 18 years of age

was used in creating, adapting, or modifying the visual material,

including computer-generated visual material :

(A) that was created, adapted, or modified using

an artificial intelligence application or other computer software ;

or

(B) that was printed or reproduced on an

anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot that has the

features of a child and that is intended to be used for sexual

stimulation or gratification .

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An

offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed

by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the

former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes

of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date

of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.