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Subcommittee moves bill to increase penalties for crimes using synthetic media
Summary
The subcommittee voted to report HB 2124, which would create enhanced penalties for fraud, libel, slander and defamation committed using synthetic media and directs the Attorney General to convene a working group to recommend statutory changes.
The Technology and Innovation Subcommittee voted to report House Bill 2124, a bill that would create enhanced penalties when fraud, libel, slander or defamation are committed using synthetic media or deepfakes, and asked the Attorney General to form a working group to study implementation and recommend statutory updates.
Delegate Maldonado said the Senate companion had not advanced last session and the House must reintroduce the policy this year. The bill’s lead sponsor said the legislation would create a process for the Attorney General to convene a working group including a JCOTS member and other officials to recommend how penalty phrases should be adjusted to address harms from synthetic media.
Supporters argued the bill targets bad actors who use deepfakes to commit crimes, while committee members noted some similar legislation passed in the House previously. After discussion, the subcommittee voted to report the bill to the next stage; the clerk recorded the vote with a roll result reported as 7 to 1.
The subcommittee did not hear extended opposing testimony at the meeting; the sponsor characterized the measure as a targeted update to existing criminal and civil remedy frameworks to address harms from synthetic media.
