Pro Tem Treat Comments on Passage of Bill Strengthening Child Pornography Laws

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today released the following statement after the Senate passed a measure to strengthen prosecution penalties for individuals who possess or create child pornography through artificial intelligence.

House Bill 3642 passed off the Senate floor 42-0. The measure ensures individuals who are convicted of child pornography crimes will face up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. The bill amends existing law to also include computer-generated or altered images of children engaged in explicit conduct including artificial-generated images or computer-generated images that are being used to exploit children.

“Child predators are the worst of the worst in society,” Pro Tem Treat said. “These are depraved individuals who, most often, cannot be rehabilitated and need to be behind bars. With the rise in artificial intelligence and other forms of technology, we need to strengthen our laws to proactively go after these individuals who want to harm children. That is why I appreciate House Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, who co-authored this bill with me and my Senate colleagues who voted overwhelmingly to support this measure. Once this becomes law, it will send a strong message to those who want to take advantage of Oklahoma children.”

Oklahoma House Rep. Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, was the House author of the bill.

“There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence can be used to create terrifying and inappropriate content,” Rep. Hasenbeck said. “By including AI-generated imagery in the definition of child pornography, the Legislature has taken an important step to safeguard our children in today’s digital age. I’m glad to see the widespread support of House Bill 3642 in both chambers, and I appreciate the work of Pro Tem Treat to secure its passage in the Senate.”