AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

HB 5178 increases penalties for possessing child sexual abuse material (replacing the term "child pornography") based on the depicted victim's age: under 5, 5-12, or 12-16 years old. The bill amends Chapter 952 of the general statutes to establish tiered penalties reflecting the age of the child shown in the material. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing such material, with harsher penalties applying when the depicted victim is younger. The change aims to strengthen legal consequences for this offense while updating terminology to "child sexual abuse material."