Child sex doll prohibition bill passes Senate, heads to governor's desk

The Utah Senate approved a bill Friday to ban the possession, purchase, or distribution of sex dolls made to look like children. The bill now goes to the governor.

The Utah Senate approved a bill Friday to ban the possession, purchase, or distribution of sex dolls made to look like children. The bill now goes to the governor. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah bill banning the possession, distribution or purchase of sex dolls made to look like children is awaiting the governor's signature, after it was passed unanimously by the Senate on Friday.

HB108, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West, sailed through both chambers of the Legislature without a single lawmaker opposing it. Gwynn, who also serves as the Roy police chief, said child sex dolls have been found in several child pornography investigations recently.

During a committee debate last month, Nate Mutter, co-chairman of the Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, said there is a "high correlation" between possession of the dolls and instances of child pornography and abuse.

The bill defines a child sex doll as "an anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot, with the features of, or with features that resemble those of a minor," that is intended for use in sexual acts. It would not include dolls used for training for medical professionals or emergency medical responders.

HB108 would make possession of a child sex doll a class A misdemeanor, with a mandatory fine of at least $2,500, and would make distribution of a child sex doll a third-degree felony with a mandatory fine of at least $10,000.

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Bridger Beal-Cvetko is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers politics, Salt Lake County communities and breaking news. Bridger has worked for the Deseret News and graduated from Utah Valley University.
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