Reporting mechanism: child sexual abuse material.

CA AB1946 aims to update California's Civil Code to improve the reporting mechanisms for child sexual abuse material on social media platforms. The bill seeks to ensure that social media companies have clear guidelines for reporting and addressing such harmful content. By enhancing these processes, the goal is to better protect children from exploitation online.

CA AB1946 is a house bill in the California 2025-2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Maggy Krell (D), currently “Passed” since September 10, 2026.

We track 5,060 California bills this session, 32 of them sponsored by Maggy Krell.

The key recorded vote (Senate, August 26, 2026) ended 39–0 and passed.

Supporters of CA AB1946 would argue that this bill is a crucial step in safeguarding children from online predators and ensuring that social media platforms take accountability for the content shared on their sites. They would emphasize that clear reporting mechanisms are essential for quick action against child sexual abuse material, ultimately creating a safer online environment for young users.

Critics of CA AB1946 might contend that the bill places undue burdens on social media companies, potentially leading to overreach in content moderation. They may argue that the legislation could infringe on free speech rights or that it may not effectively address the underlying issues of child exploitation online, thus questioning its practicality and effectiveness.

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.