AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study regarding a review of state laws relating to criminal conduct against children.
HB 1410 directs the North Dakota Legislative Management to study state laws related to criminal conduct against children during the 2025-26 interim. The study is broad and covers child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child neglect, and the human trafficking of children. It also specifically asks lawmakers to review whether the term “child sexually abusive material” or other alternative language should replace “sexual performance” in chapter 12.1-27.2 when describing child pornography or sexual conduct involving a minor.
The bill further requires review of state laws addressing the use of artificial intelligence in crimes involving the sexual performance of a minor or possession of prohibited materials, as well as other laws intended to protect children and improve investigation and prosecution of offenses involving child victims. Legislative Management must report findings and recommendations, including any needed legislation, to the 70th Legislative Assembly.
HB 1410 does not itself change criminal statutes, penalties, or enforcement procedures. Instead, it creates a formal interim study that could lead to future amendments to North Dakota’s child-protection and criminal code provisions, especially chapter 12.1-27.2 and any laws dealing with child sexual abuse material, AI-generated exploitation content, and child abuse or trafficking investigations. Its immediate legal effect is limited to directing legislative review and reporting.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House overwhelmingly, 85-3, and the Senate unanimously, 46-0, suggesting strong agreement that the state should review and potentially modernize its laws protecting children. The lack of committee transcript material or recorded debate in the provided context also suggests the measure was relatively noncontroversial.
The main substantive issue flagged by the bill is terminology: whether North Dakota should replace or supplement the phrase “sexual performance” with “child sexually abusive material” or similar language in the criminal code. Another likely area of discussion is how existing laws should address artificial intelligence in child-exploitation offenses, which may raise questions about definitions, proof, and scope. Because the bill is only a study resolution, any contention appears to be about future policy choices rather than the study itself.