VirginiaSynthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause.
What it does
Synthetic digital content; penalty; work group. Expands the applicability of provisions related to defamation, slander, and libel to include synthetic digital content, defined in the bill. The bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to use any synthetic digital content for the purpose of committing any criminal offense involving fraud, constituting a separate and distinct offense with punishment separate and apart from any punishment received for the commission of the primary criminal offense.
More detail
The bill also authorizes the individual depicted in the synthetic digital content to bring a civil action against the person who violates such prohibition to recover actual damages, reasonable attorney fees, and such other relief as the court determines to be appropriate. The bill directs the Attorney General to convene a work group to study and make recommendations on the current enforcement of laws related to the use of synthetic digital content, including deepfakes, and any further action needed to address the issue of such use in fraudulent acts. The substantive provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly and the provisions directing the Attorney General to convene a work group become effective in due course. This bill is identical to HB 2124.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Mar 24Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0407)Latest
- Mar 24Approved by Governor Glenn Youngkin-Chapter 407 (Effective - see bill)Became Law
- Mar 3Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025To Governor
- Mar 3Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 3, 2025Minor
- Feb 20Signed by PresidentMajor
- Feb 19Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
- Feb 18Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Feb 18Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1053ER)Major
- Feb 18EnrolledMinor
- Feb 13Passed House (89-Y 8-N)Passed House
- Vote recorded Passed House (89-Y 8-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Read third timeMinor
- Feb 13Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
- Feb 12Read second timeMinor
- Feb 10Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Assigned Courts sub: CriminalMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 4Read first timeMinor
- Feb 4Placed on Calendar
- Jan 24Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
- Jan 23Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Reconsideration of Engrossment agreed to (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 23Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N)
- Jan 23Printed as reengrossed 25101514D-E2
- Jan 23Reengrossed by Senate as amended
- Jan 23Amendment by Senator Ebbin, Adam P. agreed toMajor
- Jan 23Reading of amendment waived
- Jan 23Reconsideration of Engrossment agreed to (39-Y 0-N)
- Jan 23Rules suspended
- Jan 23Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
- Jan 22Printed as engrossed 25101514D-E
- Jan 22Engrossed by Senate as amended SB1053E
- Jan 22Courts of Justice Amendment agreed toMajor
- Jan 22Reading of amendment waived
- Jan 22Read second timeMinor
- Jan 21Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N)
- Jan 21Rules suspended
- Jan 21Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
- Jan 20Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 7Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 7Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101514DIntroduced