Bill > SB413

This bill creates a new criminal offense in Montana targeting the malicious disclosure of explicit synthetic media, commonly known as deepfakes. The law makes it illegal to knowingly share digitally manipulated media depicting an identifiable person in sexually explicit or intimate situations without their consent, with the intent to cause emotional distress, harassment, intimidation, or to extort money. The bill defines "synthetic media" as images or videos created or altered using artificial intelligence to misrepresent an individual's actions, and "explicit synthetic media" specifically includes depictions of sexual conduct, intimate body parts, or sexual bodily fluids. Penalties range from fines up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in county jail for a first offense, escalating to fines up to $10,000 and up to five years in state prison for subsequent offenses. If the victim is under 18, penalties increase to fines up to $10,000 and up to ten years in state prison. The law includes exceptions for reporting unlawful conduct, legitimate scientific research, educational purposes, and legal proceedings. The bill also protects interactive computer services from liability unless they intentionally aid in disclosing such media, and will take effect immediately upon passage, applying to offenses committed on or after its effective date.