SB 186 (2025) — AI-generated and morphed sexual depictions of children (contents originally in HB 2183)

Summary

Brings visual depictions that are indistinguishable from a real child, morphed from a real child's image, or generated without any actual child within Kansas's crimes of sexual exploitation of a child, unlawful transmission of a visual depiction of a child and breach of privacy, and prohibits dissemination of items that appear to depict an identifiable person. These provisions began in HB 2183 but were enacted through the conference committee report on SB 186, which the Governor signed on April 25, 2025. HB 2183 itself was later used for an unrelated act on judicial deference to agency interpretations (approved February 5, 2026).

Key dates

1. April 25, 2025 (signed by Governor)Enacted
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. The Conference Committee agreed to remove the contents of HB 2183 regarding artificially generated depictions of minors and insert the provisions of SB 222

   Supports: HB 2183's AI contents were removed

   [Note: The original contents of HB 2183, which pertained to artificially generated depictions of children, were included in the Conference Committee report for SB 186.]

   Supports: AI provisions enacted through SB 186

   Conference Committee Report Brief, House Bill No. 2183 Kansas Legislative Research Department Primary source

2. Approved February 5, 2026.

   Supports: HB 2183 as enacted (judicial deference) approved February 5, 2026

   2026 Session Laws of Kansas, Chapter 1: House Bill 2183 Kansas Secretary of State Primary source

3. prohibiting certain acts related to visual depictions in which the person depicted is indistinguishable from a real child, morphed from a real child's image or generated without any actual child involvement

   Supports: SB 186 contains the AI-depiction provisions

   Senate Bill No. 186 (enrolled) Kansas Legislature Primary source

4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book.

   Supports: Effective on statute-book publication

   SB 186 (2025-2026) Kansas Legislature Primary source

5. Kelly announced in a press release on April 25 that she has signed a bill criminalizing the possession, creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

   Supports: Signing date (April 25, 2025)

   Kansas governor approves 11 new laws, vetoes scholarship bill KSNT Reporting or analysis