Maine Democrats reject bill targeting AI-generated child pornography

A proposal that would have made it illegal to create or possess AI-generated child sexual abuse material failed to advance Thursday after a split vote by Maine’s Legislative Council.

The measure, titled “An Act to Make Artificial Intelligence-Generated Child Pornography Illegal,” was introduced by Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor). The bill sought to update state law to address the growing use of artificial intelligence to fabricate exploitative images of minors.

During Thursday’s meeting, the council — made up of legislative leaders from both parties — voted 5-5 on whether to allow the bill into the upcoming session, which meant the measure was rejected.

All four Republican members of the council and one Democrat, Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach), supported advancing the bill. The remaining Democrats, including House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), voted against it.

Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) sharply criticized Democrats following the vote, arguing that lawmakers should prioritize protecting children from AI-driven sexual exploitation. 

“It’s pretty insane to me that they’d prioritize naming bridges and roads over protecting kids from having their lives ripped apart by pedophiles with AI,” Stewart said in a statement.

The proposal’s defeat means it will not be taken up during the second regular session of the 132nd Legislature. However, the issue of how to regulate AI-generated sexual content, particularly when it involves minors, is expected to remain a subject of debate in Augusta as lawmakers consider broader updates to Maine’s digital privacy and criminal laws.