The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation requiring all mandated reporters to notify authorities of any child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including cases where the material is produced by a minor. Mandated reporters include teachers, childcare workers, health care providers, and others responsible for the care of children.
Senate Bill 1050 was introduced by Senators Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Scott Martin (R-13), and Lisa Baker (R-20). The bill aims to address the growing threat posed by CSAM generated with artificial intelligence. There has been an increase in AI-generated CSAM, with some incidents occurring in school environments.
“Mandated reporting of CSAM ensures our kids are better protected from these horrible acts,” said Pennycuick. “There is no time to lose when such incidences occur. We must remain vigilant.”
“Make no mistake, the threats posed by AI-generated images and materials are very real, and it is critical to ensure cases involving these kinds of materials are treated seriously and reported properly,” Martin said. “I am grateful that all our hard work with numerous different stakeholders and advocates over these many months has resulted in a final product that will make kids safer.”
“With this bill, we are taking an essential step forward in protecting Pennsylvania’s children in the digital age,” said Baker. “By updating our child-protective services laws and refining the obligations of those who report suspected abuse, we’re reinforcing our commitment to ensure that no child falls through the cracks simply because the nature of harm has changed. I’m proud to support legislation that meets today’s challenges head-on and strengthens our system of care.”
This legislative effort builds on previous measures passed by the Senate to combat sexually explicit materials created using artificial intelligence. Earlier laws such as Act 125 of 2024 and Act 35 of 2025 addressed issues related to deepfakes and sexual deepfakes.
Senate Bill 1050 represents a bipartisan initiative designed to enhance existing protections for children by ensuring prompt reporting and investigation of CSAM cases.
