HARRISBURG, PA – November 19, 2025 − Today, State Senator James Andrew Malone’s legislation to protect minors from sexually explicit AI deepfakes passed the Senate unanimously as part of SB 1050, which addresses reporting of child sexual abuse materials generated by AI.
Senator Malone’s initial legislation aimed to close a critical reporting gap by requiring mandated reporters, such as school personnel, to immediately report all incidents of children sharing intimate or sexually explicit images of other children to the appropriate authorities, including sexually explicit AI deepfakes. His legislation was added to SB 1050 as an amendment on October 28, prior to today’s vote.
“I’m pleased to see this legislation move forward,” said Senator Malone. “I came here to solve problems and work with anyone willing to help me serve people in Lancaster. My amendment to SB 1050 closes a major reporting gap that harmed kids in a school back in Lancaster. I’m glad to have found a bipartisan vehicle to advance it and protect kids from sexually explicit AI deepfakes moving forward. I’m also thankful to my Republican colleagues for working with me, and I look forward to seeing this pass the House with bipartisan support.”
Senator Malone introduced his legislation, SB 1034, following outreach from victims and families involved in a 2023 incident at Lancaster Country Day School. At the time, 48 female students and 12 other girls were victims of sexually explicit deepfake images generated by two male students using AI. School officials were made aware of the abuse but did not report it to the appropriate authorities for several months, revealing a critical gap in Title 23, Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting law.
Under Title 23 in Pennsylvania, all school personnel are required to report child abuse. However, children sharing sexually explicit material of other children, such as sexually explicit AI deepfakes, does not currently fall under the statute’s definition of abuse. Senator Malone’s reporting fix would change that.
Now, as an amendment to SB 1050, Senator Malone’s update to Title 23 advances to the House for consideration.
You can view and download footage of Senator Malone’s floor remarks HERE.
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