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WashingtonSB 51052025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors.

Sponsored By: Tina Orwall (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger protections for unconscious or unaware children

Beginning June 11, 2026, the law expands sexual exploitation protections for minors who are unconscious or unaware. Knowingly causing such a minor to appear in sexually explicit conduct in a photo or live performance is a class B felony. The minor must be unconscious or unaware of the photograph or performance.

Longer prosecution window for child image offenses

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington allows 10 years to prosecute listed first- and second-degree child sexual image offenses. These include dealing, possession, sending or bringing images into Washington, and viewing. The deadline pauses while the accused is not usually and publicly living in Washington. For legally defined sex offenses, the clock starts at the offense or conclusive identification through DNA or photography, whichever is later. Charges later set aside extend the deadline by the time those charges were pending.

Stricter criminal rules for fake child images

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington’s image crimes cover qualifying fake sexual depictions of people under 18, including AI-made images. The depicted minor must be identifiable from the image or related information, or the material must be obscene. Each crime’s required knowing or intentional conduct still applies. In listed cases, simply not knowing the child’s age is not a defense. Defendants must show it is more likely than not that they lacked facts reasonably showing the person was under 18. For listed fake-image charges, prosecutors need not prove the depicted minor exists, but must still establish the alleged victim’s identity. Not knowing the image was digitally created or altered, or that the minor exists, is not a defense.

Viewing defenses for investigators and researchers

Beginning June 11, 2026, narrow legal defenses extend to viewing charges for authorized investigations, individual treatment, and research. Investigators must be officers, or have written authorization and act at an officer’s direction, investigating sex-related crimes against minors. Treatment must involve individual cases at a recognized medical facility or care by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. Higher-education research must involve a college or university and receive written approval before possession or viewing. Legislative research requires a legislator’s written request beforehand and must directly relate to legislative work. Research material must be essential to the approved work. These defenses do not permit unrelated unlawful possession or viewing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tina Orwall

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Leonard Christian

    Republican • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 191 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 93 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 1/28/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/25/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 223, 2026 Laws.

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/25/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/9/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/2/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. CS - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026Senate

  12. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

    1/30/2026Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    1/28/2026Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    1/28/2026Senate

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    1/28/2026Senate

  17. Returned to second reading for amendment.

    1/28/2026Senate

  18. Rules suspended.

    1/28/2026Senate

  19. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

    1/21/2026Senate

  20. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026Senate

  21. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

    4/27/2025Senate

  22. Referred to Appropriations.

    4/2/2025Senate

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/31/2025Senate

  24. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/31/2025Senate

  25. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/31/2025Senate

Bill Text

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