ND HB 1386 (CSAM laws cover computer-generated/AI images of minors)
North Dakota AI CSAM Amendments (HB 1386, 12.1-27.2)
North Dakota · N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-27.2-01, 12.1-27.2-04.1; 2025 N.D. Laws (HB 1386)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 1, 2025
- Applies to
- Any person in North Dakota.
- Enforced by
- North Dakota law enforcement and prosecutors; North Dakota courts.
North Dakota expanded its child sexual abuse material laws to apply to computer-generated images depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct. It revised the definition of 'minor' so that it includes a computer-generated image that appears to depict a person under 18. This closes a gap for AI-generated or synthetic imagery, so possessing such material is prohibited even when no real child was depicted.
Who is protected: Children, and the broader public interest in preventing sexual exploitation material, including AI-generated depictions that appear to show minors.
Legal detail
HB 1386 amended N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-27.2-01 and 12.1-27.2-04.1 to add a 'computer-generated image' concept and to define 'minor' to include a computer-generated visual representation appearing to depict an individual under 18.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | April 23, 2025 |
| Citation | N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-27.2-01, 12.1-27.2-04.1; 2025 N.D. Laws (HB 1386) |
| Penalties | Felony. Possessing a computer-generated image of child sexual abuse material is generally a class C felony, increasing to a class B felony in aggravated cases. |
| Topics | children's online safety · AI-generated images |
| Bill text | North Dakota HB 1386 (Possessing Certain Computer-Generated Images; ch. 12.1-27.2) |
More AI rules in North Dakota
- ND Sexually Explicit Deepfake Law · In effect
- ND HB 1613 (drone evidence limits extended to robots; no armed police robots) · In effect
- ND 12.1-17-07 (using a robot/AI to harass is a crime) · In effect
- ND 12.1-17-07.1 (stalking via robot/AI, e.g. tracking, is a crime) · In effect
- ND HB 1167 (political ads using AI to impersonate must say so) · In effect
- Artificial Intelligence Guideline · 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) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- 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
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.