When someone creates a fake sexual image of you and spreads it online, Indiana law should protect you. But right now, it doesn’t. That’s why bipartisan lawmakers—Republican Rep. Craig Haggard and Democratic Rep. Maureen Bauer—have introduced two urgently needed bills, HB 1182 and HB 1183, to make it a crime in Indiana to create or possess digitally altered or AI-generated sexual images of someone without their consent.

This isn’t hypothetical. Rep. Haggard’s wife was the target of a fake, explicit deepfake video that was allegedly viewed and mocked by staff in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Rep. Bauer herself became the target of a sextortion attempt using a doctored image pulled from her friend’s Instagram. They’re not alone—reports of AI-generated sexual abuse have exploded, and existing laws simply haven’t kept up.

These bills would change that. HB 1182 and HB 1183 close dangerous legal gaps by criminalizing not just the distribution of fake sexual images, but their creation and possession. HB 1183 includes stricter penalties for repeat offenders, recognizing the serious harm this technology can inflict.

This is not a partisan issue. No one—regardless of political party, gender, or public profile—should be vulnerable to this kind of abuse without any legal protection. With AI tools becoming more powerful and accessible, the risk to everyday Hoosiers is growing by the day. People are being violated, extorted, and humiliated—and our laws must evolve to protect them.

We call on the Indiana General Assembly to schedule a hearing for HB 1182 and HB 1183 immediately. Don’t let these bills die in committee. Listen to the bipartisan voices calling for action. Stand up for the rights, safety, and dignity of all Hoosiers.

Sign this petition to demand Indiana lawmakers pass HB 1182 and HB 1183 now.