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Bill Summary · SB 292

Summary of Bill SB 292 (2026) – Connecticut

Purpose and intent

  • The bill expands the definition of “child sexual abuse material” to cover additional visual depictions.
  • Specifically, it adds virtually indistinguishable images of a person under age 16 engaging in sexually explicit conduct to the category of prohibited material, while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings from this expansion.
  • Effective date: October 1, 2026.

Key provisions and changes

Expanded definition

  • Current law defines “child sexual abuse material” as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person under 16 who is involved in producing the depiction.
  • The bill adds: visual depictions in which the subject appears virtually indistinguishable from a person under 16 engaging in sexually explicit conduct are also “child sexual abuse material.”
  • Indistinguishable depictions are defined as virtually indistinguishable to an ordinary observer that the subject is an actual person under 16. This provision does not apply to drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings.

Exclusions

  • The expansion applies to real or computer-generated depictions that are indistinguishable from a real minor but explicitly excludes drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings.

Penalties and charges

  • The bill creates or extends offenses related to “child sexual abuse material” that involves indistinguishable imagery, including:
    • Possession of child sexual abuse material (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree).
    • Importation of child sexual abuse material.
    • Possession and transmission of child sexual abuse material by a minor.
  • Penalty structure (based on the related bill text):
    • 1st Degree Possession: Class B felony — 1 to 20 years in prison; minimum fines up to $15,000.
    • 2nd Degree Possession: Class C felony — 1 to 10 years; minimum fines up to $10,000.
    • 3rd Degree Possession: Class D felony — up to 5 years; minimum fines up to $5,000.
    • Importing: Class B felony — 1 to 20 years; minimum fines up to $15,000.
    • Possessing or transmitting by a minor: Class A misdemeanor — up to 364 days in prison; fines up to $2,000.
  • These penalties align with existing framework for child sexual abuse material offenses, with enhanced scope due to the indistinguishable standard.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who possess, import, or transmit visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct that are indistinguishable from real minors under 16.
  • Specifically targets:
    • Adult offenders who possess or import such material.
    • Offenders who transmit material.
    • Minors who possess or transmit such material.
  • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary would apply the broadened definition in classification, charging, and sentencing.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: October 1, 2026.
  • The bill repeals and replaces the existing 53a-193 definitions with updated language, applying to sections 53a-193 through 53a-210.
  • Administrative actions follow existing statutory processes for charging and adjudicating offenses involving child sexual abuse material.

Fiscal and implementation notes

  • The Fiscal Analysis notes potential minimal to moderate additional costs for:
    • Correctional and Judicial Department (incarceration and probation administration).
    • Possible revenue from fines.
  • The anticipated impact depends on the number of offenses involving indistinguishable imagery and related enforcement actions.

Bottom-line

SB 292 expands Connecticut’s definition of “child sexual abuse material” to include visually indistinguishable depictions of under-16 individuals engaging in sexually explicit conduct (excluding cartoons, drawings, sculptures, or paintings). It broadens criminal liability for possession, importation, and transmission of such material, with tiered penalties mirroring existing offenses and a October 1, 2026 effective date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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