Texas House Bill HB2700

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 2/23/23
• Out of House Committee: 4/21/23
• Voted on by House: 5/2/23
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/17/23
• Voted on by Senate: 5/21/23
• Governor Action: 6/12/23

Caption

Relating to prosecution of certain criminal offenses prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving children.

Impact

The implications of HB2700, set to take effect on September 1, 2023, involve significant changes to the Texas Penal Code. The law will treat the creation, distribution, and possession of such computer-generated content as criminal offenses. This heightened legal scrutiny aims to deter individuals from engaging in or facilitating the exploitation of minors through advanced technologies. Furthermore, the bill specifically addresses that previous laws will continue to apply to offenses committed before its effective date, providing a transitional framework to uphold justice under existing statutes.

Summary

House Bill 2700 addresses the growing issue of child exploitation through technology by clarifying and amending the existing laws related to sexually explicit visual material involving minors. The bill expands the definition of visual material to include computer-generated content that depicts recognizable likenesses of children, regardless of whether actual minors were involved in the creation of such material. This legislation is aimed at enhancing the legal framework to protect children from new forms of sexual abuse facilitated by innovations such as deep fake technology and AI image generation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB2700 has been overwhelmingly positive among legislators and advocacy groups advocating for child protection. Supporters emphasize the critical need for updated legal protections in response to evolving technological landscapes that can potentially harm children. Testimonies presented during discussions have highlighted the urgency and necessity of addressing child exploitation in this digital age. As the bill progressed through the House and Senate, votes reflected strong bipartisan support, with only minimal dissent concerning the amendments.

Contention

Notable points of contention during discussions included concerns over the definition of visual material, particularly regarding the potential classification of related products like childlike sex dolls as prohibited. Stakeholders expressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive protection laws without inadvertently criminalizing adjacent legal uses. The conversation around HB2700 thus highlighted the balance between technological innovation and the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Penal Code

• Chapter 43. Public Indecency
  • Section: 26
  • Section: 261
  • Section: 262
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 261
  • Section: 262
  • Section: 26
  • Section: 261
  • Section: 262
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 261
  • Section: 262