Gov. Abbott signs new criminal law on AI-generated child pornography
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed new legislation (Senate Bills 20 and 1621) that makes it a crime to create, possess, or distribute AI-generated or computer-created child pornography — including cartoons, animations, and deepfakes that appear to depict minors.
The law took effect September 1, 2025, and closes a legal gap where such material had been difficult to prosecute under existing child pornography statutes.
Prosecutors and law enforcement say the new provisions will allow them to more effectively target creators and distributors of AI-based sexual content involving minors.
