Legislation introduced by Representatives Kristin Marcell and Nikki Rivera to strengthen protections for children victimized by artificial intelligence-generated sexually explicit images passed unanimously in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week, according to a May 7 statement.
The bill would require schools and other mandated reporters to immediately notify law enforcement when they become aware of suspected child sexual abuse material involving AI-generated “deepfake” images. Lawmakers say this aims to prevent delays that can allow harmful material to continue spreading and more victims to be targeted.
Marcell and Rivera said the legislation was developed after incidents in Bucks and Lancaster counties where students used artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of classmates. “Unfortunately, this legislation was born out of deeply troubling events that occurred not in some distant place, but in our own communities,” Marcell said. “In Bucks County, a middle school student used AI to create explicit images of classmates, and those images were shared among students. The school chose to conduct its own internal review before contacting police. That delay had consequences for both the investigation and victims.”
A similar incident occurred in Lancaster County within Rivera’s district, involving nearly 60 students who became victims over several months despite earlier awareness by school officials. “House Bill 2474 addresses this gap. It ensures that when incidents like this occur, they are reported to law enforcement immediately – where they belong,” Marcell said. “Thank you to Rep. Nikki Rivera for her work on this important bill. I look forward to working with the PA Senate to pass this legislation in the coming months.”
Under House Bill 2474, mandated reporting requirements would explicitly apply to suspected AI-generated child sexual abuse material, aiming to remove uncertainty about reporting obligations so law enforcement is involved without delay.
Marcell represented constituents in Bucks County as a state representative and served on the Council Rock School Board; she graduated from Council Rock schools and earned degrees from Penn State University and George Washington University; she resides in Wrightstown with her husband and two children, according to the official website.
