Bill

A 8449

Prohibits disseminating, publishing, distributing, or accessing certain depictions of individuals or children

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger and 9 co-sponsors

Prohibits disseminating or accessing certain depictions of individuals or minors, aiming to curb harmful imagery and require platforms to enforce limits.

REFERRED TO CODES

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 8449

Summary of Assembly Bill A 8449

Overview

Assembly Bill A 8449 seeks to prohibit disseminating, publishing, distributing, or accessing certain depictions of individuals or children. The bill was introduced on May 16, 2025 and is currently referred to the Codes Committee in the New York Assembly.

Purpose and intent

The core aim is to restrict the spread and access of specific depictions involving individuals or minors. The exact scope and definitions of “certain depictions” would be set forth in the bill’s text.
By placing limits on how such depictions can be disseminated or accessed, the bill intends to address concerns related to privacy, safety, and potential harm associated with specific visual content.

Key provisions (as described in the bill’s title)

Prohibition on disseminating, publishing, distributing, or accessing certain depictions of individuals or children.
The bill would define what constitutes the “certain depictions” and establish the applicable penalties, exemptions (if any), and enforcement mechanisms within its full text.
Additional procedural elements (definitions, enforcement framework, exceptions, and effective dates) would be specified in the statutory language.

Note: The provided information does not include the complete text, so definitions, exceptions, penalties, and enforcement details are not enumerated here and would be found in the full bill.

Affected parties

Individuals who are depicted in the covered depictions.
Entities or individuals who disseminate, publish, distribute, or provide access to such depictions (e.g., media outlets, online platforms, distributors).
Potentially, users who access the depictions, depending on the bill’s specific provisions and penalties.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: May 16, 2025.
Status: Referred to the Codes Committee in the Assembly (documented twice in the action log).
Related procedural actions: A companion measure in the Senate is identified as S 3202; A 8449 also has a related prior-session bill, A 7519.

Related bills

A 7519 (prior-session)
S 3202 (companion in the Senate)

Potential impact

Privacy and safety: If enacted, the bill could reduce exposure to certain depictions of individuals and minors, potentially lowering harm from unauthorized or harmful imagery.
Platform and distribution effects: Distributors and publishers may need to implement policies or filtering to comply.
Legal and civil implications: The bill would establish penalties and enforcement mechanisms, influencing how such content is handled in law and by service providers.
First Amendment considerations: As with content restriction laws, the bill could raise questions about free speech and the balance with protection from wrongdoing; the exact constitutional analysis would depend on the final text and any implemented exemptions.

For a complete understanding, review the full statutory text, definitions of “certain depictions,” and any listed exemptions or penalties once published.

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