California Expansion of Child Pornography Laws to AI-Generated Matter (AB 1831)
California · Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, 311.12 (AB 1831, Stats. 2024)
California broadens its child pornography statutes so they explicitly cover material that is digitally altered or generated by artificial intelligence. Previously the laws were aimed at depictions made with real children, leaving questions about synthetic imagery. Now matter whose production involves a person under 18, including AI-generated or digitally altered content, falls within the prohibited categories and existing felony exposure.
Technical detail
AB 1831 amended Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, and 311.12 to bring within prohibited matter any digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated matter, the production of which involves the use of a person under 18, extending California's child-pornography offenses to synthetic and altered imagery.
Who is protected: Minors (persons under 18), including against synthetic and AI-generated sexual abuse material.
Who must comply: All persons; the statutes prohibit possession, production, and distribution of the covered matter.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-29 |
| Citation | Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, 311.12 (AB 1831, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | Local district attorneys and California prosecutors (criminal enforcement). |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Subject to the existing criminal penalties under the amended child-pornography statutes, including felony exposure. |
| Topics | children's online safety · AI-generated images |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | California AB 1831 (2023-2024): Crimes: child pornography ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · In effect
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · In effect
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Washington HB 2225 (AI chatbot disclosure, minor protections, crisis protocols) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Oregon SB 1546 (AI companion chatbot disclosure + private right of action) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction — every entry must carry a verifiable official source.