SB154

West Virginia SB154 criminalizes digital manipulation of media to falsely depict minors in sexually explicit conduct.

West Virginia SB154 amends the state code to establish a new criminal offense for digitally altering photographs, images, video clips, movies, or recordings to falsely depict minors in sexually explicit conduct. The bill defines "actual minor" as a living or once-living person whose image was taken or captured when they were under 18. Conviction of this felony offense carries penalties including fines up to $10,000, imprisonment for one to five years, or both. The offense is distinct from other offenses in the code.