(The Center Square) – Louisiana will begin enforcing a series of new artificial intelligence laws Aug. 1 that expand criminal penalties for AI-generated sexual images, require disclosures on certain political advertisements created with artificial intelligence and establish procedures for using AI-generated evidence in court.
Artificial intelligence was a major focus during the 2026 legislative session, with lawmakers introducing more than 20 bills. They addressed issues such as elections, education, consumer protection, healthcare, government use of AI and criminal law. Several proposals failed or were narrowed before final passage.
The new laws create additional criminal offenses involving AI-generated sexually explicit images, require campaigns to disclose when political advertisements contain materially altered AI-generated images, audio or video, and set standards courts must follow before AI-generated evidence can be introduced at trial.
House Bill 119, by Rep. Bryan Fontenot, expands Louisiana’s criminal statutes governing AI-generated sexual imagery, commonly known as deepfakes.
Under the law, anyone who knowingly creates or possesses AI-generated material depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct faces five to 20 years in prison at hard labor, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. At least five years of any prison sentence must be served without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. The law also creates new offenses involving the possession and dissemination of AI-generated sexually explicit images of another person without consent.
The legislation follows a high-profile case in Lafourche Parish in which authorities alleged a Sixth Ward Middle School student used artificial intelligence to create and distribute fake nude images of classmates. The incident drew national attention after one of the girls depicted in the images was initially expelled following an altercation with the student accused of sharing them before the school reversed the disciplinary action.
Another measure taking effect Aug. 1, House Bill 459, requires political advertisements containing materially altered images, audio or video created using artificial intelligence to include a disclosure notifying viewers that AI was used.
The requirement applies to campaign communications distributed by candidates, political action committees and other political organizations. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The Aug. 1 laws build on legislation approved during the 2025 regular session governing AI-generated evidence in Louisiana courts.
That law requires parties intending to introduce AI-generated evidence in civil or criminal proceedings to notify opposing parties before trial. Judges are authorized to hold hearings to determine whether AI-generated evidence is authentic and admissible before it is presented in court.
Beginning Aug. 1, the changes mean Louisianans who create or distribute certain AI-generated sexual images face new criminal liability, political campaigns using artificial intelligence in advertisements must comply with disclosure requirements, and litigants seeking to use AI-generated evidence must follow new court procedures.
Louisiana also enacted the Louisiana Data Privacy Act during the session. Although not specific to artificial intelligence, the law establishes new consumer rights over personal data collected by businesses, an issue closely tied to AI systems that rely on large amounts of personal information. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, making Louisiana one of a growing number of states with comprehensive consumer data privacy laws.
