INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 326, legislation authored by Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D- Bloomington), to modernize Indiana’s laws and ensure the legal system properly reflects the reality of child exploitation. The bill removes outdated and harmful terminology, strengthens protections for professionals who report child abuse and reinforces enforcement against offenders.

The bill now moves to the Indiana House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. Yoder was inspired to write the bill after a conversation with a constituent serving in a police department’s sex crimes unit.

“This past summer, I sat down with a law enforcement officer who investigates some of the most horrific crimes against children,” Yoder said. “In that conversation, I learned that Indiana law still uses the term ‘child pornography’ to describe what is actually child sex abuse material. That officer made it clear—calling it ‘pornography’ applies an adult framework to something that is neither consensual nor remotely accurate. Children cannot consent. Any depiction of their abuse is just that—abuse. Full stop.”

“That conversation stuck with me. I knew we had to act,” Yoder continued. “So, I got to work writing legislation to ensure Indiana law aligns with international human rights and child protection efforts. Words matter. And calling it anything other than what it is—child sex abuse material—perpetuates harm and minimizes the trauma survivors endure.”

SB 326 makes three key updates to Indiana law:

Updates outdated language—replacing the term “child pornography” with “child sex abuse material” to reflect that children cannot consent.

Protects professionals—ensuring educators, social workers and attorneys who report abuse are not criminalized for doing their jobs.

Strengthens enforcement—reinforcing the ability of law enforcement and prosecutors to hold offenders accountable.

“Let’s be clear: There is no such thing as ‘child pornography.’ That term is misleading and reinforces harmful stigmas for survivors. What we are talking about is evidence of a crime. It is abuse, and it must be named and treated as such,” Yoder said.

“This bill ensures that our legal system reflects that reality—because words matter, and so do our actions. This is a necessary step forward in protecting Hoosier children today and for generations to come.”

SB 326 now moves to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.