Senate Bill No. 292 seeks to amend the definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Connecticut law by repealing Section 53a-193 and introducing a new definition that encompasses any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person under the age of sixteen or a subject that appears indistinguishable from someone under that age. The bill clarifies that the determination of whether a depiction is indistinguishable is based on the perception of an ordinary viewer and explicitly excludes drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings of minors from this definition.

Furthermore, the bill expands the criteria for what constitutes "obscene" material related to minors and outlines various terms associated with sexual conduct. The revised law imposes serious charges for individuals who possess, import, or transmit such virtually indistinguishable depictions, with penalties ranging from Class B felonies to Class D felonies, depending on the degree of the offense. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and while they may lead to increased costs for the Department of Correction and the Judicial Department due to more prosecutions, they could also generate potential revenue from fines.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable:
File No. 646: