STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – A new Arizona law closes a dangerous loophole that allowed predators to use artificial intelligence and digital editing tools to create child sexual abuse material that appears real but depicts no actual child. HB2678, sponsored by House Republican Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, updates state law to ensure AI-generated and digitally altered images that are indistinguishable from real minors carry the same criminal penalties as those involving actual children.
The bill passed the Legislature with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law Monday.
“Predators are using AI and digital editing to produce sickening material that looks real but avoids prosecution. HB2678 shuts that door,” said Majority Whip Willoughby. “No one should be able to exploit technology to traffic in what any reasonable person would recognize as child sexual abuse. If it looks like a real child is being abused, that’s enough. Arizona law now makes that crystal clear.”
The new law updates the definitions of “minor” and “visual depiction” to include computer-generated or digitally manipulated images that are indistinguishable from actual children. It also classifies such depictions as dangerous crimes against children when the image appears to show a victim under the age of 15.
House Bill 2678 directly advances the House Republican Majority Plan’s public safety priorities—strengthening protections for Arizona families and ensuring child predators are fully prosecuted.
“One of the biggest reasons I ran for office was to protect our citizens and ensure Arizona is a safe place for children to grow up. This bill puts children first, and is a perfect example of the legislation I will continue to produce,”Majority Whip Willoughby added. “I am taking action to make sure Arizona is leading the fight against child exploitation, regardless of the technology used.”
Julie Willoughby is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 13 in Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She also serves as the House Majority Whip. Follow her on X at @JWilloughbyAZ.
