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Rhode IslandH58722025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT SYNTHETIC MEDIA IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS .

Sponsored By: Jacquelyn M. Baginski (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Candidates can sue over deceptive media

Effective upon passage, depicted candidates can ask a Rhode Island court to stop distribution of synthetic media that violates the law. They can also seek general or special damages from covered campaign groups, political committees, or independent spenders that generated it. Candidates must prove violations by clear and convincing evidence, a higher standard than in most civil lawsuits. Courts can award reasonable attorney fees and costs to either winning side, so losing candidates can face those costs. These remedies do not replace or limit other legal rights.

Rhode Island limits deceptive election media

Effective upon passage, Rhode Island restricts deceptive synthetic media during the 90 days before an election where a candidate appears on the ballot. The rule covers candidates, authorized campaign committees, political action committees, party committees, and people or groups making independent expenditures. They cannot distribute covered media they know or should know is deceptive or fraudulent. Synthetic media means digitally altered images, audio, or video showing realistic events that never happened and fundamentally changing the original impression. Candidates include current officeholders. Distribution is allowed with a disclosure saying the media was manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. Visual disclosures must be easily readable and at least as large as the largest text in the media. Video disclosures must remain visible throughout. Audio-only disclosures must be spoken at the start and end, and at least every two minutes in recordings longer than two minutes. Exceptions cover genuine news coverage with an easily accessible warning questioning authenticity, and paid broadcasts when the broadcaster lacks actual knowledge. Websites and general-circulation publications qualify when they clearly state that the media misrepresents the candidate's speech or conduct. Satire, parody, and interactive computer services are exempt. The law also protects work to detect, prevent, investigate, or respond to security incidents, identity theft, fraud, harassment, and other illegal acts, including work to protect system integrity.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jacquelyn M. Baginski

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 101 • No: 1

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

RELATING TO ELECTIONS-DECEPTIVE MEDIA IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 5/8/2025

ELECTIONS-DECEPTIVE/MEDIA COMM. PASSAGE

Yes: 66 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 409

    7/2/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/27/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence

    6/18/2025

  6. Scheduled for consideration (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025

  7. Referred to Senate Judiciary

    5/23/2025Senate

  8. House passed Sub A

    5/8/2025House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (05/08/2025)

    5/2/2025House

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    4/3/2025

  11. Proposed Substitute

    4/2/2025

  12. Scheduled for consideration (04/03/2025)

    3/28/2025

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/18/2025

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/18/2025)

    3/14/2025

  15. Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

    2/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • H5872 - As Introduced

    2/28/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5872 - Substitute

    2/28/2025

    HTMLPDF

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