AI-generated and indistinguishable depictions included in child-exploitation definitions (HB 2678)

A.R.S. §§ 13-3551, 13-705; 2025 Ariz. Sess. Laws ch. 174 (HB 2678, 57th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess.)

A citation is an address, not a summary. The first part names the law; what follows narrows it to the exact section, article or paragraph.

In force.

An AI prohibited practices rule binding public and private bodies.

As of 8 September 2026.

What it requires

Do not knowingly produce, direct, manufacture, or possess for commercial gain a computer-generated, artificial-intelligence-generated, or otherwise digitally altered visual depiction that is indistinguishable from an actual minor engaged in exploitive exhibition or other sexual conduct; Arizona's definitions of 'minor' and 'visual depiction' treat such a depiction the same as an image of a real child.
Do not knowingly distribute, transport, exhibit, receive, sell, purchase, electronically transmit, or exchange such a depiction.
If the depicted minor appears to be under fifteen years of age, the offense is also a 'dangerous crime against children' under A.R.S. § 13-705, which carries its own, more severe sentencing range.

If you get it wrong

Criminal exposureYes

Criminal exposure note

Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor (A.R.S. § 13-3552) and sexual exploitation of a minor (A.R.S. § 13-3553) are each a class 2 felony; where the depicted minor, including an indistinguishable computer-generated depiction, is under fifteen years of age, A.R.S. § 13-705 reclassifies the offense as a dangerous crime against children in the first degree.

What it reaches

Obligation class

Prohibition

What this law does

Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.

Arizona's chapter on sexual exploitation of children defines 'visual depiction' to include an image created or modified by computer software, artificial intelligence, or other digital editing tools. It defines 'minor' to include a visual depiction that is 'indistinguishable' from an actual minor. 'Indistinguishable' means a visual depiction such that a person viewing it would reasonably conclude it is of an actual minor.

Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor under A.R.S. § 13-3552 is a class 2 felony. Sexual exploitation of a minor under A.R.S. § 13-3553 is also a class 2 felony. Where the depicted minor, including an indistinguishable AI-generated depiction, is under fifteen years of age, A.R.S. § 13-705 reclassifies the offense as a dangerous crime against children in the first degree.

A first offense of commercial sexual exploitation of a minor under that reclassification carries a sentencing range of thirteen to twenty-seven years. A first offense of sexual exploitation of a minor under that reclassification carries a sentencing range of ten to twenty-four years. This measure was enacted as House Bill 2678 and approved by the Governor on May 12, 2025, as 2025 Arizona Session Laws chapter 174.

When LexLint raises it

generates_content
publishes_adult_content

Read the law

official Arizona Revised Statutes text, Arizona State Legislature website
amendment confirmed against the official session law chapter text

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