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Bill > HB198


MD HB198

MD HB198
Election Law - Online Campaign Material - Use of Deepfakes


summary

Introduced
01/16/2020
In Committee
01/16/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/18/2020

Introduced Session

2020 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Prohibiting certain persons from willfully or knowingly influencing or attempting to influence a voter's decision to go to the polls or to cast a vote for a particular candidate by publishing, distributing, or disseminating a deepfake online within 90 days of an election; providing that the prohibition does not apply to a person who discloses certain information on the deepfake; providing that a certain person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to a certain fine and imprisonment or both; etc.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits certain persons from willfully or knowingly influencing or attempting to influence a voter's decision to go to the polls or to cast a vote for a particular candidate by publishing, distributing, or disseminating a "deepfake" (an audio, video, or photograph that is altered by computer-generated software) online within 90 days of an election, with an exception for those who disclose the alteration and provide required information. The bill also gives the State Administrator the authority to investigate potential violations and seek injunctive relief, and imposes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2021.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Hearing 2/06 at 1:00 p.m. (on 01/21/2020)

bill text


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