Utah H.B. 238 (AI-generated child sexual abuse material is illegal)
Utah H.B. 238 — Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Amendments
Utah · Utah Laws 2024, H.B. 238; Utah Code 76-5b-103(1)(b)(iii)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- May 1, 2024
- Applies to
- Individuals subject to Utah's criminal child sexual abuse material laws.
- Enforced by
- Utah prosecutors and law enforcement (criminal enforcement).
Utah expanded its definition of child sexual abuse material to capture AI-generated content. The definition now reaches material that is artificially generated and depicts an individual with the substantial characteristics of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This closes a gap where fully synthetic imagery might otherwise escape the statute.
Who is protected: Minors and individuals who appear to be minors, including in artificially generated depictions.
Legal detail
H.B. 238 (2024) amends Utah Code 76-5b-103 to add subsection (1)(b)(iii), defining child sexual abuse material to include material 'artificially generated and depicts an individual with substantial characteristics of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct'; relies on existing Chapter 5b penalties.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Utah |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | March 13, 2024 |
| Citation | Utah Laws 2024, H.B. 238; Utah Code 76-5b-103(1)(b)(iii) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | No new penalty is created; existing criminal penalties for child sexual abuse material offenses apply (including the second-degree felony level for possession or viewing). |
| Topics | children's online safety · AI-generated images |
| Bill text | H.B. 238, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Amendments, Utah Legislature 2024 |
More AI rules in Utah
- Utah HB 76 data center water transparency (2026) · In effect
- Utah EO 2026-08 pro-human AI in state government · In effect
- UT HB 101 (2019 AV statute) · In effect
- UT drone-wildfire law · In effect
- Utah H.B. 148 (computer-generated CSAM & intimate images count as illegal) · In effect
- Utah S.B. 131 (AI-generated political ads must say 'generated by AI') · 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
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