The bill, H.B. No. 418, aims to enhance the prosecution and punishment of criminal offenses related to sexually explicit visual material involving children. It amends the definition of "visual material" in the Penal Code to include not only traditional media such as film and photographs but also digital formats that can display images on computers or video screens. Additionally, the bill increases the penalties for offenses involving visual material depicting children, establishing stricter classifications based on the number of depictions and the offender's prior convictions. For instance, possessing visual material with 10 or more depictions of a child can lead to a felony of the first degree if certain conditions are met.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions that elevate the severity of offenses if the visual material depicts a child under the age of 10, increasing the punishment category for such cases. It also clarifies that visual material created using artificial intelligence that resembles a child is subject to the same legal scrutiny. The bill repeals certain previous provisions and ensures that the changes apply only to offenses committed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 21.16, Penal Code 43.26 (Penal Code 43, Penal Code 21)