WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
There is hereby created in the state treasury the consumer protection enforcement fund. The fund shall include civil penalties ordered pursuant to divisions (A) and (D) of section 1345.07 of the Revised Code and paid as provided in division (G) of that section, all civil penalties ordered pursuant to division (E) of section 1349.10 of the Revised Code, all civil penalties assessed under division (A) of section 1349.192 of the Revised Code, all costs awarded to the attorney general and all penalties imposed under section 4549.48 of the Revised Code, and all money unclaimed under section 4549.50 of the Revised Code. The money in the consumer protection enforcement fund shall be used for the sole purpose of paying expenses incurred by the consumer protection section of the office of the attorney general.
This section amends the consumer protection enforcement fund statute to include civil penalties collected under the new § 1349.10(E) as a source of fund revenue. It creates no new compliance obligation — it is a housekeeping amendment directing penalty proceeds to the existing enforcement fund.
(A) As used in this section, "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A)" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.
(B) 1 Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A) systems shall be programmed to provide a distinctive watermark on any AI-generated product that informs the user that the particular product was generated using an AI system.
(C) 2 No person shall remove a watermark required by this section with the purpose of concealing that the product was generated using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A).
(D) Any person aggrieved by a violation of division (B) or (C) of this section has and may commence a civil action against the violator for damages that result from the violation. In a civil action under this division, any person found to have removed a watermark required by this section shall be rebuttably presumed to have caused the harm alleged in the complaint.
(E) In addition to the civil action authorized under division (D) of this section, the attorney general may commence a civil action against a person that violates division (B) or (C) of this section for injunctive relief and, in the case of a person that violates division (C) of this section, a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars. All civil penalties collected under this division shall be deposited to the consumer protection enforcement fund created by section 1345.51 of the Revised Code.
Section 1349.10 is the bill's principal new enactment. It defines artificial intelligence, mandates that all AI systems watermark their outputs, and prohibits removal of those watermarks with the purpose of concealing AI origin. The watermark mandate in division (B) is unusually broad — it applies to every AI-generated product without limitation by content type, industry, or risk level.
Enforcement is dual-track. Division (D) creates a private right of action for any person aggrieved by a violation of either the watermark mandate or the removal prohibition, with a rebuttable presumption of causation for watermark-removal claims. Division (E) authorizes Attorney General civil enforcement for injunctive relief and up to $10,000 in civil penalties for watermark removal.
(A)(1)–(6) 3 No person, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, shall do any of the following: (1) Create, reproduce, or publish any obscene material that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants or portrayed observers; (2) Promote or advertise for sale or dissemination; sell, deliver, disseminate, display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide; or offer or agree to sell, deliver, disseminate, display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide, any obscene material that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants or portrayed observers; (3) Create, direct, or produce an obscene performance that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants; (4) Advertise or promote for presentation, present, or participate in presenting an obscene performance that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants; (5) Buy, procure, possess, or control any obscene material, that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants; (6) Bring or cause to be brought into this state any obscene material that has a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) as one of its participants or portrayed observers.
(B)(1)–(3) This section does not apply to any material or performance that is sold, disseminated, displayed, possessed, controlled, brought or caused to be brought into this state, or presented for a bona fide medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, teacher, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance. (2) Mistake of age is not a defense to a charge under this section. (3) In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a person in the material or performance involved is a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) if the material or performance, through its title, text, visual representation, or otherwise, represents or depicts the person as a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2).
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of pandering obscenity involving a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2). If the offense involves a minor or an artificially generated depiction of a minor, a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (6) of this section is a felony of the second degree. If the offense involves an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (6) of this section is a felony of the third degree. A violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of this section or section 2907.322 or 2907.323 of the Revised Code, pandering obscenity involving a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a felony of the third degree.
(D)(1)–(3) As used in this section and sections 2907.322 and 2907.323 of the Revised Code: (1) "Artificially generated depictionArtificially generated depiction"Artificially generated depiction" means a visual depiction of an actual person that was created or edited by artificial intelligence or other computer-generated means and that a reasonable person would believe depicts or represents an actual person who is identifiable by the person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(1)" means a visual depiction of an actual person that was created or edited by artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A) or other computer-generated means and that a reasonable person would believe depicts or represents an actual person who is identifiable by the person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic. (2) "Impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2)" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age. (3) "Artificially generated depiction of child obscenityArtificially generated depiction of child obscenity"Artificially generated depiction of child obscenity" means a violation of section 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code involving an artificially generated depiction of a minor.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(3)" means a violation of section 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code involving an artificially generated depiction of a minor.
This section amends Ohio's existing pandering obscenity statute to add artificially generated depictions of a minor alongside real minors and impaired persons as prohibited subjects. Every existing prohibited act — creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting, selling, possessing, or importing obscene material involving a minor — now equally applies to AI-generated depictions of minors. The amendments also add definitions for artificially generated depiction, impaired person, and artificially generated depiction of child obscenity that apply across §§ 2907.321–.323.
Felony grading for AI-generated depictions of minors mirrors that for real minors: second-degree felony for creation, distribution, and importation; fourth-degree for possession (escalating to third-degree for repeat offenders).
(A)(1)–(7) 4 No person, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, shall do any of the following: (1) Create, record, photograph, film, develop, reproduce, or publish any material that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (2) Advertise for sale or dissemination, sell, distribute, transport, disseminate, exhibit, or display any material that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (3) Create, direct, or produce a performance that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (4) Advertise for presentation, present, or participate in presenting a performance that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (5) Knowingly solicit, receive, purchase, exchange, possess, or control any material that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (6) Bring or cause to be brought into this state any material that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality; (7) Bring, cause to be brought, or finance the bringing of any minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) into or across this state with the intent that the minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) engage in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality in a performance or for the purpose of producing material containing a visual representation depicting the minor, artificially generated depiction of the minor, or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) engaged in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality.
(B)(1)–(3) This section does not apply to any material or performance that is sold, disseminated, displayed, possessed, controlled, brought or caused to be brought into this state, or presented for a bona fide medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, teacher, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance. (2) Mistake of age is not a defense to a charge under this section. (3) In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a person in the material or performance involved is a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) if the material or performance, through its title, text, visual representation, or otherwise, represents or depicts the person as a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2).
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2). If the offense involves a minor or an artificially generated depiction of a minor, a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) of this section is a felony of the second degree. If the offense involves an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) of this section is a felony of the third degree. Violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of this section or section 2907.321 or 2907.323 of the Revised Code, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a felony of the third degree.
This section mirrors the structure of § 2907.321 but applies to sexually oriented (as opposed to obscene) material. It extends the prohibition on creating, distributing, possessing, and importing material showing a minor participating in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality to include artificially generated depictions of minors. The penalty structure parallels § 2907.321: second-degree felony for creation and distribution involving AI-generated depictions of minors; fourth-degree for possession.
(A)(1)–(3) 5 No person shall do any of the following: (1) Photograph any minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) who is not the person's child or ward in a state of nudity, or create, direct, produce, or transfer any material or performance that shows the minor, artificially generated depiction of the minor, or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a state of nudity, unless both of the following apply: (a) The material or performance is, or is to be, sold, disseminated, displayed, possessed, controlled, brought or caused to be brought into this state, or presented for a bona fide artistic, medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, teacher, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance; (b) The minor's or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2)'s parents, guardian, or custodian consents in writing to the photographing of the minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), to the use of the minor, artificially generated depiction of the minor, or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in the material or performance, or to the transfer of the material and to the specific manner in which the material or performance is to be used. (2) Consent to the photographing of the person's child or ward who is a minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), or photograph the person's child or ward who is a minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), in a state of nudity or consent to the use of the person's child or ward who is a minor, an artificially generated depiction of the minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a state of nudity in any material or performance, or use or transfer a material or performance of that nature, unless the material or performance is sold, disseminated, displayed, possessed, controlled, brought or caused to be brought into this state, or presented for a bona fide artistic, medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, teacher, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance; (3) Possess or view any material or performance that shows a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) who is not the person's child or ward in a state of nudity, unless one of the following applies: (a) The material or performance is sold, disseminated, displayed, possessed, controlled, brought or caused to be brought into this state, or presented for a bona fide artistic, medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, teacher, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance. (b) The person knows that the minor's or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2)'s parents, guardian, or custodian has consented in writing to the photographing or use of the minor, artificially generated depiction of the minor, or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a state of nudity and to the manner in which the material or performance is used or transferred.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal use of a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a nudity-oriented material or performance. If the offense involves a minor or an artificially generated depiction of a minor, whoever violates division (A)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a felony of the second degree. If the offense involves an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2), whoever violates division (A)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree. Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A)(3) of this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of this section or section 2907.321 or 2907.322 of the Revised Code, illegal use of a minor, an artificially generated depiction of a minor, or an impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a nudity-oriented material or performance in violation of division (A)(3) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. If the offender who commits a violation of division (A)(1) or (2) of this section that involves a minor or an artificially generated depiction of a minor also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification as described in section 2941.1422 of the Revised Code that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense, the court shall sentence the offender to a mandatory prison term as provided in division (B)(7) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code and shall order the offender to make restitution as provided in division (B)(8) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code.
This section extends Ohio's existing prohibition on illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material to cover artificially generated depictions of minors. It prohibits photographing, creating, transferring, consenting to the use of, and possessing material showing an artificially generated depiction of a minor in a state of nudity, subject to the same bona fide purpose and parental consent exceptions that apply to real-minor material. Penalties for AI-generated depictions of minors mirror those for real-minor material.
(A)(1)–(3) As used in this section: (1) "Personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1)" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual. (2) "Replica of a person's personaReplica of a person's persona"Replica of a person's persona" or "replica" means a modified or fabricated version of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance that is created or presented in a manner that it appears to be the individual's authentic persona. The term includes the modifications and fabrications produced in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(2)" or "replica" means a modified or fabricated version of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance that is created or presented in a manner that it appears to be the individual's authentic persona. The term includes the modifications and fabrications produced in whole or in part by artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A). (3) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" and "AI" mean an engineered or machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.10(A)" has the same meaning as in section 1349.10 of the Revised Code.
(D) No person, with intent to defraud, shall permit another person to use the person's own personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or a replica of the person's persona.
(F) 6 No person shall create or use a replica of a person's personaReplica of a person's persona"Replica of a person's persona" or "replica" means a modified or fabricated version of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance that is created or presented in a manner that it appears to be the individual's authentic persona. The term includes the modifications and fabrications produced in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(2) in a manner that would induce any other person to make a financial decision or extend credit to any person in reliance on the replica without the express consent of the individual whose persona is replicated.
(G) 7 No person shall create or use a replica with the intent to damage any person's or entity's reputation, including the reputation of the individual whose persona is replicated.
(H) 8 No person shall create, use, or disseminate a replica of a person's personaReplica of a person's persona"Replica of a person's persona" or "replica" means a modified or fabricated version of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance that is created or presented in a manner that it appears to be the individual's authentic persona. The term includes the modifications and fabrications produced in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(2) who is not a minor or impaired personImpaired person"Impaired person" means a person whose ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.321(D)(2) in a manner that depicts the individual whose persona is replicated in a state of nudity, engaging in sexual activity, or in any obscene material without the consent of the individual whose persona is replicated.
(I) 9 No person shall create, use, or disseminate a replica of a person's personaReplica of a person's persona"Replica of a person's persona" or "replica" means a modified or fabricated version of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance that is created or presented in a manner that it appears to be the individual's authentic persona. The term includes the modifications and fabrications produced in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(2) for the purposes of violating or attempting to violate section 2905.05 of the Revised Code.
(J)(1)–(2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (B) of this section that the person using the personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) is acting in accordance with a legally recognized guardianship or conservatorship or as a trustee or fiduciary. (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (B), (C), (D), or (E) of this section that either of the following applies: (a) The person or entity using, obtaining, possessing, or creating the personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica, or permitting it to be used, is a law enforcement agency, authorized fraud personnel, or a representative of or attorney for a law enforcement agency or authorized fraud personnel and is using, obtaining, possessing, or creating the personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica, or permitting it to be used, with prior consent given as specified in this division, in a bona fide investigation, an information security evaluation, a pretext calling evaluation, or a similar matter. (b) The personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica was obtained, possessed, used, created, or permitted to be used for a lawful purpose, provided that division (J)(2)(b) of this section does not apply if the person or entity using, obtaining, possessing, or creating the personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica, or permitting it to be used, is a law enforcement agency, authorized fraud personnel, or a representative of or attorney for a law enforcement agency or authorized fraud personnel that is using, obtaining, possessing, or creating the personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica, or permitting it to be used, in an investigation, an information security evaluation, a pretext calling evaluation, or similar matter.
(K) It is not a defense to a charge under this section that the person whose personal identifying informationPersonal identifying information"Personal identifying information" includes, but is not limited to, the following: the name, address, telephone number, driver's license, driver's license number, commercial driver's license, commercial driver's license number, state identification card, state identification card number, social security card, social security number, birth certificate, place of employment, employee identification number, mother's maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, money market account number, mutual fund account number, other financial account number, personal identification number, password, or credit card number of a living or dead individual.Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.49(A)(1) or replica was obtained, possessed, used, created, or permitted to be used was deceased at the time of the offense.
(M)(1)–(3) Whoever violates this section is guilty of identity fraud. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this division or division (M)(3) of this section, identity fraud is a felony of the fifth degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is one thousand dollars or more and is less than seven thousand five hundred dollars, except as otherwise provided in division (M)(3) of this section, identity fraud is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more and is less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars, except as otherwise provided in division (M)(3) of this section, identity fraud is a felony of the third degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is one hundred fifty thousand dollars or more, except as otherwise provided in division (M)(3) of this section, identity fraud is a felony of the second degree. (3) If the victim of the offense is a minor, an elderly person, disabled adult, active duty service member, or spouse of an active duty service member, a violation of this section is identity fraud against a person in a protected class. Except as otherwise provided in this division, identity fraud against a person in a protected class is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is one thousand dollars or more and is less than seven thousand five hundred dollars, identity fraud against a person in a protected class is a felony of the third degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more and is less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars, identity fraud against a person in a protected class is a felony of the second degree. If the value of the credit, property, services, debt, or other legal obligation involved in the violation or course of conduct is one hundred fifty thousand dollars or more, identity fraud against a person in a protected class is a felony of the first degree.
(N) In addition to the penalties described in division (M) of this section, anyone injured in person or property by a violation of division (B), (D), or (E) of this section who is the owner of the identifying information involved, or whose persona is replicated, in that violation has a civil action against the offender pursuant to section 2307.60 of the Revised Code. That person may also bring a civil action to enjoin or restrain future acts that would constitute a violation of division (B), (D), or (E) of this section.
This section substantially amends Ohio's identity fraud statute to address AI-generated replicas. It adds three new defined terms — personal identifying information (reformatted), replica of a person's persona (explicitly including AI-produced fabrications), and artificial intelligence (cross-referencing § 1349.10). It then creates four new substantive prohibitions: using a replica to induce financial decisions without consent (division F), using a replica to damage reputation (division G), creating or disseminating non-consensual intimate replica imagery of non-minor, non-impaired adults (division H), and using a replica to facilitate criminal luring (division I).
The existing identity fraud penalty structure applies, with felony grading based on financial harm and victim class. Division (N) extends the existing private civil remedy to persons whose persona is replicated.