Wyoming's HB 102 Makes AI Deepfake Sexual Abuse and AI-Generated Child Exploitation a Felony, Effective July 1, 2026
Wyoming's HB 102 Makes AI Deepfake Sexual Abuse and AI-Generated Child Exploitation a Felony, Effective July 1, 2026
Wyoming's House Bill 102 took effect July 1, 2026, creating three new felonies that target nonconsensual AI "deepfake" sexual imagery, artificial-intelligence systems built to generate child sexual abuse material, and AI systems designed to promote self-harm. Governor Mark Gordon signed the measure, enrolled as House Enrolled Act No. 32.
Information last verified on July 9, 2026. This is a developing story; we update it as the record changes.
Jurisdiction scope: This article addresses Wyoming criminal law under House Bill 102 and related Title 6 offenses. It does not address civil claims or the laws of other states. For how other states treat AI-generated imagery, see our deepfake and AI voice cloning laws by state.
What Happened
The Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill 102, titled "Protecting Kids from Deepfakes and Exploitative Images," during the 2026 budget session, and Governor Mark Gordon signed it into law as House Enrolled Act No. 32. The act took effect July 1, 2026. Representative Jayme Lien of Casper was a lead sponsor, joined by additional House and Senate members.
HB 102 creates three new crimes. The first is the unlawful distribution of nonconsensual synthetic sexual material, codified at a new Wyo. Stat. 6-4-307. The second is the unlawful development or distribution of an artificial-intelligence system intended to produce child sexual abuse material. The third is the unlawful development or distribution of an artificial-intelligence system intended to promote self-harm. Each new offense is a felony; reporting on the enacted bill describes penalties reaching up to 12 years in prison and fines up to $10,000, depending on the offense.
"Synthetic sexual material" refers to sexually explicit images or video that appear to depict a real, identifiable person but were generated or altered by artificial intelligence, commonly called deepfakes. By reaching the developers and distributors of AI systems built to produce child sexual abuse material, and not only the finished images, the statute targets the tools as well as the output.
What the Law Actually Says
Before HB 102, Wyoming already prohibited the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images under Wyo. Stat. 6-4-306, a statute that on its face reaches computer-generated depictions. That older provision is a misdemeanor. HB 102 adds a felony tier aimed specifically at AI-generated sexual material and at the AI systems used to create exploitative content involving children.
The new law fits a national wave of state legislation responding to generative AI. Wyoming had not previously enacted an election-deepfake statute, and it still has no dedicated voice-cloning or digital-likeness right comparable to Tennessee's ELVIS Act. HB 102 is narrower and criminal: it focuses on sexual imagery and child exploitation rather than political or commercial uses of synthetic media.
The state measure also sits alongside a federal law. The TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed in May 2025, criminalizes publishing nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated ones, and requires covered online platforms to remove such material within 48 hours of a valid request. Wyoming residents may therefore have both a state criminal complaint and a federal takedown route available for the same conduct. For the broader picture, see our guide to deepfake laws across the states and our overview of Wyoming's approach to artificial intelligence.
Analysis: Why This Matters
The following is analysis from the Recording Law Editorial Team. HB 102's notable feature is that it reaches the AI systems themselves, not just the resulting images. Many earlier state deepfake laws punish the person who creates or shares a specific nonconsensual image. By adding offenses for developing or distributing an AI system intended to produce child sexual abuse material, Wyoming's statute is written to reach further up the supply chain, toward the tools designed for that purpose.
That drafting choice raises questions about intent and scope that courts elsewhere have already confronted in synthetic-media cases: how prosecutors will prove that a system was intended to produce unlawful content, and how the law interacts with First Amendment limits that have complicated some other states' AI statutes. Those questions will be worked out as charges are brought. What is settled as of July 1, 2026 is that the conduct is now a felony in Wyoming rather than a lesser offense or no offense at all. For a sense of how detailed the state framework has become, our Wyoming deepfake law overview tracks the specific statutes now in force.
How This Affects You
If you live in Wyoming, creating or sharing AI-generated sexual images of a real person without consent can now be charged as a felony rather than treated only under the older misdemeanor image statute. People targeted by nonconsensual deepfakes generally have more than one avenue: a state criminal complaint under the new law and, separately, a federal takedown request to the platform hosting the material. Because the statute is new, how prosecutors apply it will develop over time, and anyone facing a specific situation should consult a lawyer licensed in Wyoming.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. It covers Wyoming and reflects sources verified on July 9, 2026. Laws change and this story is developing; consult a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction about your specific situation.
Related articles
- Deepfake and AI voice cloning laws by state
- Wyoming deepfake laws
- Wyoming AI laws and regulation
- AI laws in the United States
Last updated: 2026-07-09. This is a developing story; details verified as of 2026-07-09.
More Wyoming Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wyoming's HB 102 deepfake law take effect?
House Bill 102 took effect July 1, 2026, after Governor Mark Gordon signed it as House Enrolled Act No. 32 during the 2026 legislative session.
What does Wyoming HB 102 make illegal?
It creates three new felonies: distributing nonconsensual AI-generated (synthetic) sexual material; developing or distributing an AI system intended to produce child sexual abuse material; and developing or distributing an AI system intended to promote self-harm.
What are the penalties under HB 102?
The new offenses are felonies; reporting on the enacted bill describes penalties reaching up to 12 years in prison and fines up to $10,000, depending on the offense. Wyoming's earlier nonconsensual-intimate-image statute, Wyo. Stat. 6-4-306, remains a misdemeanor.
Does Wyoming law already cover deepfake nude images?
In part. Wyo. Stat. 6-4-306 already prohibited nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images, including computer-generated depictions, as a misdemeanor. HB 102 adds a felony tier specifically for AI-generated sexual material and exploitative AI systems.
Is there a federal law about nonconsensual deepfakes too?
Yes. The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed in May 2025, criminalizes nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated ones, and requires covered platforms to remove them within 48 hours of a valid request.
Who sponsored Wyoming HB 102?
Representative Jayme Lien of Casper was a lead sponsor of House Bill 102, joined by additional House and Senate members, and it passed both chambers in the 2026 budget session.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- Wyoming House Bill 102 (HB0102), 2026 Session bill text, Wyoming Legislature(wyoleg.gov).gov
- Ballotpedia: AI deepfake policy in Wyoming (HB 102 summary and status)(ballotpedia.org)
- Cody Enterprise: Senate, House pass bills to protect kids from AI, internet crimes(codyenterprise.com)
- Wyoming Tribune Eagle: Senate, House pass bills to protect children from AI, internet crimes(wyomingnews.com)