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Bill

H 3045

Obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl Anderson and 37 co-sponsors

South Carolina bill criminalizes creation, distribution, and possession of obscene visual depictions of child sexual abuse with criminal penalties for violators.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3045

Legislative bill overview

H 3045 criminalizes the creation, distribution, and possession of obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse in South Carolina. The bill establishes penalties for these offenses and defines what constitutes illegal material in this category. This appears to be part of broader efforts to strengthen protections against child exploitation.

Why is this important

Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) causes documented harm to victims and fuels demand for ongoing abuse. Strengthening state-level criminal statutes ensures law enforcement has clear legal tools to prosecute offenders and protect children. These laws also support federal efforts to combat a significant criminal enterprise.

Potential points of contention

  • AI-generated vs. real abuse: The bill's treatment of artificially-generated imagery versus material depicting actual abuse—a distinction with serious legal and ethical implications that courts are still defining
  • Definitional clarity on "obscene": The term "obscene" relies on legal standards that vary by jurisdiction and can create ambiguity about what material is prohibited
  • First Amendment considerations: Any law restricting visual material faces constitutional scrutiny, particularly regarding the boundaries between illegal CSAM and protected speech or artistic expression

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

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