MontanaSB 41369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Criminalize disclosure of certain explicit AI-generated media

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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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 398 • No: 1

House vote • 4/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2025

AMD-SB0413.003.001 Regier DO PASS

Yes: 99 • No: 1

House 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