The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 292, seeks to amend the definition of "child sexual abuse material" within Connecticut law. The bill introduces new legal language that expands the definition to include any visual depiction, such as photographs, films, or computer-generated images, that involves sexually explicit conduct with a person under sixteen years of age or where the subject appears indistinguishable from a person under sixteen. This distinction is crucial as it allows for the prosecution of materials that may not directly involve a minor but still depict someone who appears to be one. The bill also clarifies that the determination of whether a visual depiction is of a person under sixteen is a question for the trier of fact.

Additionally, the bill includes a new definition for "indistinguishable," specifying that a visual depiction must be virtually indistinguishable from an actual person under sixteen engaging in sexually explicit conduct. It explicitly states that this term does not apply to drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings of minors. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the protection of minors from sexual exploitation by broadening the scope of what constitutes child sexual abuse material.

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Raised Bill: