Bill > HB811

This bill establishes legal protections against fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates using artificial intelligence (AI) or "deepfake" technology during election periods. Specifically, the bill creates civil liability for any covered person (which includes candidates, political organizations, and other entities) who knowingly disseminates a campaign advertisement containing a synthetic deepfake of a candidate within 90 days of an election, with the intent to misrepresent the candidate's words, actions, or beliefs. To avoid liability, such content must include a clear and conspicuous disclosure stating that it is a deepfake, which must be displayed each time the content is presented and be easily readable or understandable. The bill requires embedded digital content provenance that details the content's creation, editing, and modification. Aggrieved candidates can sue for punitive damages and potentially seek injunctive relief, with potential civil penalties ranging from $15,000 for municipal candidates to $250,000 for federal candidates. The bill includes exceptions for certain entities like law enforcement, media outlets, and service providers, and does not restrict legitimate uses of technology for security or investigative purposes. The act will take effect 60 days after passage and is designed to protect the integrity of electoral communications by preventing the malicious use of AI-generated content that could mislead voters.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=811