Child Obscenity and Pornography Prevention Act of 2002

H.R. 4623, the Child Obscenity and Pornography Prevention Act of 2002, seeks to expand federal laws regarding the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography to include computer-generated or digital images that appear indistinguishable from real children. The bill establishes stricter criminal penalties for those who create or trade such material, including drawings or cartoons deemed obscene, and increases punishments for repeat offenders of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors. For citizens and service providers, the legislation clarifies that internet and computing companies may report suspected child pornography to state and local law enforcement and allows authorities to use administrative subpoenas to obtain certain electronic records during investigations.