The bill amends the Revised Code to enhance protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and to safeguard minors from exploitation. It introduces a new section, 1349.10, which requires AI-generated products to feature a distinctive watermark indicating their origin. The legislation specifically prohibits the creation and distribution of simulated child pornography, targeting both real and artificially generated depictions of minors, and establishes civil penalties for violations. Additionally, it revises existing laws on obscenity and the exploitation of minors by expanding the definitions of prohibited materials to include "artificially generated depictions" and clarifying the legal framework for prosecuting offenses involving minors and impaired persons.

Furthermore, the bill amends section 2913.49 to strengthen regulations surrounding identity fraud and the unauthorized use of personal identifying information. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "personal identifying information," "replica of a person's persona," and "artificial intelligence," while deleting the previous definition of "personal." The bill prohibits the unauthorized use of another person's identifying information and establishes affirmative defenses for law enforcement. It categorizes penalties for identity fraud based on the value of the fraudulently obtained items, with harsher penalties for offenses involving protected classes like minors and the elderly. Victims are also granted the right to pursue civil actions for damages and seek injunctions against future violations, while several existing sections of the Revised Code related to identity fraud are repealed to streamline the legal framework.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1345.51, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2913.49