A new law in Arizona aims to close a loophole that allowed the creation of child sexual abuse material using artificial intelligence and digital editing tools. House Bill 2678, sponsored by House Republican Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, updates state legislation to ensure AI-generated and digitally altered images that are indistinguishable from real minors carry the same criminal penalties as those involving actual children.
The bill received strong bipartisan support in the Legislature and was signed into law on Monday.
“Predators are using AI and digital editing to produce sickening material that looks real but avoids prosecution. HB2678 shuts that door,” said Majority Whip Willoughby. “No one should be able to exploit technology to traffic in what any reasonable person would recognize as child sexual abuse. If it looks like a real child is being abused, that’s enough. Arizona law now makes that crystal clear.”
The law updates definitions of “minor” and “visual depiction” to include computer-generated or digitally manipulated images indistinguishable from actual children. It classifies such depictions as dangerous crimes against children when the image appears to show a victim under 15 years old.
House Bill 2678 aligns with the House Republican Majority Plan’s public safety priorities by strengthening protections for Arizona families and ensuring full prosecution of child predators.
“One of the biggest reasons I ran for office was to protect our citizens and ensure Arizona is a safe place for children to grow up. This bill puts children first, and is a perfect example of the legislation I will continue to produce,” Majority Whip Willoughby added. “I am taking action to make sure Arizona is leading the fight against child exploitation, regardless of the technology used.”
Julie Willoughby serves as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 13, covering Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She also holds the position of House Majority Whip.
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