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 SB 1053.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Mar 24Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0398)Latest
- Mar 24Approved by Governor Glenn Youngkin-Chapter 398 (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 22Signed by PresidentMajor
- Feb 19Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Feb 19Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2124)
- Feb 19Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2124ER)Major
- Feb 19EnrolledMinor
- Feb 14Senate Amendment agreed to by House (Y-88 N-7 A-0)Major
- Vote recorded Senate Amendment agreed to by House (Y-88 N-7 A-0). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Passed Senate with amendment (39-Y 0-N)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Engrossed by Senate as amended
- Feb 12Courts of Justice Amendment agreed toMajor
- Feb 12Reading of amendment waived
- Feb 12Read third timeMinor
- Feb 11Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N)
- Feb 11Rules suspended
- Feb 10Reported 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
- Feb 3Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 3Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Jan 31Read third time and passed House (87-Y 9-N)Passed House
- Vote recorded Read third time and passed House (87-Y 9-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 30Read second time and engrossedMinor
- Jan 29Read first timeMinor
- Jan 27Reported from Communications, Technology and Innovation (20-Y 2-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Communications, Technology and Innovation (20-Y 2-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2124)
- Jan 16Assigned CT & I sub: Technology and InnovationMinor
- Jan 7Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and InnovationMinor
- Jan 7Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-13-2025 25101882DIntroduced