Senators Tracy Pennycuick, Scott Martin, and Lisa Baker have introduced Senate Bill 1050 in the Pennsylvania Senate, aiming to address the growing problem of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) generated by artificial intelligence. The bill would require mandated reporters, including teachers, child care workers, and health care providers, to report all instances of CSAM they become aware of, regardless of whether the material was produced by a minor.
The senators highlighted a significant increase in AI-generated CSAM in recent years, with some cases occurring in school environments. Senator Pennycuick said, “The damage inflicted by the creation and dissemination of these materials can be devastating. For minors, already in the formative stages of their lives, the trauma, anxiety, and fear caused by these acts can be life-altering. While our progress on this issue has been significant, we need to do more to protect our children from the dangers of CSAM, especially when these images surface in school settings.”
Senator Martin emphasized the evolving nature of digital threats: “Protecting children from emerging threats in the digital world is a critical need. The tools that criminals use to target young people are constantly changing and evolving, and the law needs to change to keep pace. I appreciate all the stakeholders and families who have worked with us over the past several months to bring forward this comprehensive legislation addressing mandated reporting so we can ensure fewer children are subjected to these incredibly damaging materials.”
Senator Baker added, “Ensuring the safety and security of our children is of the upmost importance. While we have made great strides in addressing the use of AI in CSAM, we must continue these efforts by updating our child protection laws to require that these cases be reported to the appropriate authorities. This bill is an essential first step toward targeting those who find novel ways of luring children, whether the producers are adults or fellow students.”
The Pennsylvania Senate has previously addressed issues related to AI-generated explicit content through Act 125 of 2024 and Act 35 of 2025. These laws focused on deepfakes and sexual deepfakes. Senate Bill 1050 is a bipartisan effort intended to expand on previous measures and ensure prompt reporting and investigation of CSAM cases.
