Committee hears bill targeting malicious AI deepfakes and modernizing identity‑fraud law
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Summary
SB8 would strengthen Maryland's identity‑fraud statutes and create crimes for knowingly deceptive, harmful AI/deepfake impersonations; the senate amended intent language to require willful, fraudulent harm and removed a potentially overbroad 'mislead' standard.
Sen. Hester's office asked the House Judiciary Committee to consider SB8, a modernization of Maryland's identity‑fraud statutes that adds specific prohibitions on AI‑enabled deception and deepfake impersonation used with knowing, fraudulent intent to cause harm. Bridget O'Toole (chief of staff) said the senate added an amendment to narrow scope and avoid overbreadth by requiring knowing and willful intent to cause harm and by removing the ambiguous term "mislead."
Sponsors framed the bill around rising concerns about AI‑enabled impersonation, including election‑related deepfakes and scams that use a family member's voice to deceive victims. "This legislation is essential to strengthening Maryland's ability to combat identity fraud by addressing the evolving threats posed by AI and deep fake technology," O'Toole said. The sponsor urged a favorable report and highlighted the urgency of addressing rapidly evolving technology.
Committee members did not record extensive opposition in the hearing excerpt; the amendment addressed concerns raised by the Motion Picture Association about creative‑industry impacts by narrowing the mental‑state and use elements.
If enacted, the bill would expand criminal liability for intentional, harmful AI impersonation while preserving evidentiary safeguards to avoid chilling legitimate uses of likeness and expression.
