All Roll Calls
Yes: 398 • No: 1
MontanaSB 41369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Criminalize disclosure of certain explicit AI-generated media
Sponsored By: Laura Smith (Democrat)
Became Law
CourtsCriminal ProcedureLaw EnforcementCrimesInformation Technology
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Deepfake law now in effect
The law takes effect on passage and approval. It applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
New crime for sharing sexual deepfakes
The law makes it a crime to share sexual deepfakes of a real person without consent when it would cause serious emotional distress. It is also a crime to share them to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or injure someone, or to threaten release to get money or other things of value. "Explicit synthetic media" covers deepfake images or video that show sexual acts, intimate body parts, or sexual fluids of a recognizable person, made with AI or similar tools. Sharing for reporting unlawful conduct, real research or education, or normal court proceedings is allowed, and courts can block further sharing. Online platforms are not liable for user posts unless they intentionally help the wrongful disclosure.
Fines and jail for deepfake abuse
Penalties apply on conviction. A first conviction can bring a fine up to $1,000, up to 1 year in county jail, or both. A second or later conviction can bring up to $10,000 in fines, up to 5 years in state prison, or both. If the person shown was under 18, punishment can be up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in state prison.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Laura Smith
Democrat • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
AMD-SB0413.003.001 Regier DO PASS
Yes: 99 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
Do Concur As Amended
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
5/2/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/28/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/24/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/24/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/24/2025House2nd Reading Concurred as Amended
4/22/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
4/22/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/16/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/16/2025HouseHearing
4/11/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/4/2025HouseReferred to Committee
4/4/2025HouseTransmitted to House
4/3/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
4/3/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
4/2/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
4/1/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
3/27/2025SenateFiscal Note Signed
3/25/2025SenateHearing
3/24/2025SenateFiscal Note Received
3/24/2025SenateFiscal Note Requested
3/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/25/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/16/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/28/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025