As used in this chapter:
(1) "Child sex doll" means an anatomically correct or anatomically precise doll,
mannequin, or robot that may consist of an entire body, pelvis, or any other body
part, with features of, or with features that resemble, those of a minor and intended
for use in sexual acts;
(2) "Computer" means electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high-
speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions,
including but not limited to personal computers, laptops, computer software,
computer servers, processors, coprocessors, memory devices, storage devices, and
input and output devices;
(3) "Computer-generated image" means any visual depiction, including any
photograph, film, video, or picture, where the depiction has been created, adapted,
or modified by a computer to appear to be an identifiable person;
(4) "Distribute" means to transfer possession of, whether with or without consideration;
(5) "Identifiable person" means a person who is recognizable by the person's face,
likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic;
(6) "Matter" means any:
(a) Book, magazine, newspaper, or other printed or written material;
(b) Picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture, live image transmitted over the
internet or other electronic network, other pictorial representation, or
computer-generated image;
(c) Statue, child sex doll, or other figure; or
(d) Recording, transcription, or mechanical, chemical, or electrical reproduction,
or any other articles, equipment, machines, or materials;
(7) "Obscene" means:
(a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the
predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to prurient interest in
sexual conduct;
(b) The matter depicts or describes the sexual conduct in a patently offensive
way; and
(c) The matter, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or
scientific value;
(8) "Private erotic matter" means an obscene visual image, including a photograph,
film, video recording, computer-generated image, or digital reproduction, of an
identifiable person, depicting sexual conduct or the exposure of uncovered human
genitals, buttocks, or nipple of the female breast. A person may be identifiable from
the image itself or from information distributed in connection with the visual image;
and
(9) "Sexual conduct" means acts of masturbation, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality,
sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse; or physical contact with the
genitals, flagellation, or excretion for the purpose of sexual stimulation or
gratification.
Effective: July 15, 2024
History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 15, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended
2018 Ky. Acts ch. 50, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch.
100, sec. 3, effective June 25, 2009. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 265,
effective January 1, 1975.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
7
cases (
2 in the last 5 years), 1977–2025 · leading case:
Purcell v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 382 (Ky. 2004).
Purcell v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 382 (Ky. 2004).
· cites it 8× “The definitions section, KRS 531.010, defines "obscene" and "sexual conduct" as follows: (3) "Obscene" means: (a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to *387 prurient interest in sexual…”
New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747 (1982).
· cites it 2× “§ 21-4301 (2)(a) (1981); Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(3) (1975); La. Rev.”
Kentucky Restaurant Concepts, Inc. v. City of Louisville, 209 F. Supp. 2d 672 (W.D. Ky. 2002).
“150 (sexual offense), KRS 531.010 through 531.040 (distribution of obscene material to a minor and use of a minor to produce, promote, or distribute obscene material), and/or KRS Chapter 218 (controlled substances) within the last five years.”
Michelle Bray v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2025).
“]” 7 Under KRS 531.010(7), “obscene” means “(a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to prurient interest in sexual conduct; (b) The matter depicts or describes the 5 Kentucky Revised…”
Cam I, Inc. v. Louisville/Jefferson Cnty. Metro Gov't, 252 F. Supp. 2d 406 (W.D. Ky. 2003).
“150 (sexual offense), and KRS 531.010 to 531.040 (distribution of obscene matter and use of a minor to distribute obscene material), within the five years immediately preceding the date of application.”
W. Corp. v. Commonwealth, 558 S.W.2d 605 (Ky. 1977).
“This statute has undergone legislative revision and has now been succeeded by KRS 531.010, a part of the Kentucky Penal Code.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(3) — 3 cases
New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747 (1982).
“§ 21-4301 (2)(a) (1981); Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(3) (1975); La. Rev.”
Purcell v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 382 (Ky. 2004).
“The definitions section, KRS 531.010, defines "obscene" and "sexual conduct" as follows: (3) "Obscene" means: (a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to *387 prurient interest in sexual…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(4) — 1 case
Purcell v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 382 (Ky. 2004).
“The definitions section, KRS 531.010, defines "obscene" and "sexual conduct" as follows: (3) "Obscene" means: (a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to *387 prurient interest in sexual…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(4)(d) — 1 case
Purcell v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 382 (Ky. 2004).
“The definitions section, KRS 531.010, defines "obscene" and "sexual conduct" as follows: (3) "Obscene" means: (a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to *387 prurient interest in sexual…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.010(7) — 1 case
Michelle Bray v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2025).
“]” 7 Under KRS 531.010(7), “obscene” means “(a) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the predominant appeal of the matter, taken as a whole, is to prurient interest in sexual conduct; (b) The matter depicts or describes the 5 Kentucky Revised…”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.