House Bill No. by Representative Lafleur seeks to amend Louisiana laws by replacing all references to "pornography involving juveniles" with "child sexual abuse materials" in various statutes, including R.S. 14:73.8, 81.1, and 89.1. This change aims to clarify legal language and underscore the seriousness of offenses related to the exploitation of children. The bill introduces a definition for "child sexual abuse materials" and establishes that any acts committed after August 1, 2025, will be categorized under this new terminology.

In addition to the terminology updates, the bill outlines specific penalties for offenses related to child sexual abuse materials, including significant prison terms and fines for violations such as production, distribution, and possession. It retains the elements and penalties associated with the previous crime while ensuring that any mention of "pornography involving juveniles" is now equivalent to "child sexual abuse materials." Furthermore, the bill clarifies that it does not absolve individuals arrested or convicted of the previous offense from any legal obligations or consequences prior to the bill's effective date, thereby enhancing the legal framework for protecting children from sexual exploitation.

Statutes affected:
HB268 Original: 14:8(A), 14:1(A), 14:1(A)(2), 14:2(B), 14:5(A)(1), 15:537(A), 15:1(F), 15:541(24), 15:1(18), 15:1(C), 15:1352(A)(45), 17:7(A)(1), 46:2(C)(1)