Substitute Senate Bill No. 1439 seeks to amend the definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Connecticut law by repealing Section 53a-193 and introducing a broader definition. The new definition includes any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person under sixteen years of age or a subject that appears indistinguishable from a person under that age. The bill clarifies that the determination of indistinguishability will be made by the trier of fact and explicitly states that this definition does not apply to drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings of minors.

Furthermore, the bill expands the definitions of related terms such as "obscene as to minors," "prohibited sexual act," and "sexually explicit conduct," aiming to strengthen protections against the sexual exploitation of minors. It also maintains existing affirmative defenses for defendants under certain circumstances, such as for bona fide artistic or educational purposes. The legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and is anticipated to have fiscal implications for the Department of Correction and the Judicial Department due to increased costs associated with enforcement and potential revenue from fines. The bill has received unanimous support from the Judiciary Committee, reflecting strong legislative backing for these changes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 739: