SB 163 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards AI images, simulated child porn, replica identity fraud

Summary

To amend sections 1345.51, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, and 2913.49 and to enact section 1349.10 of the Revised Code to require AI-generated products have a watermark, to prohibit simulated child pornography, and to prohibit identity fraud using a replica of a person.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 1, 2025 Last action May 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · May 20, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add new sections creating specific legal definitions for AI systems and establishing a consumer protection enforcement fund. It also updated criminal statutes to explicitly include AI-generated depictions of minors and impaired persons in obscenity laws and expanded identity fraud protections to cover the misuse of AI replicas. The changes clarify the scope of prohibited conduct and strengthen enforcement mechanisms for both civil and criminal violations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include 'generative artificial intelligence systems' in definitions and criminal prohibitions, ensuring AI-generated content is treated similarly to real depictions under existing laws. Applicability was broadened to cover the creation, distribution, and possession of AI-generated content involving minors or impaired persons, as well as the fraudulent use of AI replicas for identity theft.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'covered provider,' 'generative artificial intelligence system,' 'provenance data,' and 'watermark' to clarify regulatory obligations for AI creators.

FISCAL

Created a new 'consumer protection enforcement fund' to finance expenses for the attorney general's consumer protection section, replacing the previous reference to a single section.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that covered providers must embed provenance data in AI-generated content and program systems to provide distinctive watermarks on images and videos.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated criminal statutes to prohibit the creation, distribution, or possession of obscene material featuring 'artificially generated depictions' of minors or impaired persons, treating them the same as real depictions.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded identity fraud laws to prohibit creating or using AI replicas of a person's persona for financial fraud, reputation damage, or depicting the person in a state of nudity without consent.

Added new civil penalties and injunctive relief powers for the attorney general regarding violations of the new AI watermark and provenance requirements.

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026

How they voted

30–0

Passed

Total votes 30

May 20, 2026

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

22 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 27, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

May 26, 2026

Introduced

lower

May 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced

upper

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors