Committee backs felony penalties for AI-based sexual images of minors; 'Act Ivy Daniels' amendment adopted

The committee adopted amendments and reported House Bill 119 favorably on March 18 after emotional testimony from parents and technical changes from the author.

Representative Fontenot, the bill’s author, described HB119 as an effort to criminalize creation, dissemination and possession of artificial‑intelligence generated sexual images of minors and to raise penalties for dissemination. The committee adopted an amendment set (1877) that removed simple possession from the original subsection, then created a separate offense for unlawful possession with its own definitions and penalties. Representative Fontenot later offered an amendment to designate the measure as the "Act Ivy Daniels," which the committee adopted.

Joseph Daniels, who identified himself as a parent of a child targeted by an AI deep fake, told the panel the online fabrication inflicted emotional distress and urged the committee to treat such offenses as felonies when minors are involved: "This is serious, this is harmful, and there will be significant consequences." Prosecutors and child‑safety groups signaled support; Megan Garvey of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said she had technical clarifications but was not opposed after the adopted amendments and that she and the author would coordinate further.

With amendments adopted and no objection on the floor motion, the committee reported HB119 favorably as amended. The bill now moves to the House floor for further consideration and possible additional changes.