HB 5312 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CIVIL ACTION FOR THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION FOR VICTIMS OF UNLAWFUL DISSEMINATION OF A SYNTHETICALLY CREATED INTIMATE IMAGE.

HB 5312 establishes a private right for victims and a civil action for Connecticut's Attorney General to address unlawful sharing of synthetically created intimate images (like deepfakes). Victims can sue in Superior Court for damages, emotional distress, and attorney fees, while the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties up to $50,000 per day against online platforms that fail to remove such content after knowing it violates the law. The law specifically protects minors under 18, even if the image is synthetic, and applies to platforms like social media or apps that host user-generated content. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and complements existing legal remedies without limiting other rights.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 25, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → JUD Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was refined to specifically target 'synthetically created intimate images' (deepfakes) rather than general violations of the existing intimate image law. It clarifies who can sue for damages, adds specific definitions for digital terms, and introduces new rules requiring online platforms to remove these illegal images within 48 hours upon request.

Scope change

The scope narrowed from general intimate image violations to specifically address synthetically created intimate images, while adding new obligations for covered online platforms.

SCOPE

The private right of action was narrowed to apply only to harm caused by the unlawful dissemination of synthetically created intimate images, removing the broader reference to section 53a-189d violations.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'disseminate', 'harm', 'intimate image', 'synthetically created image', and 'synthetically created intimate image' to clarify the law's application.

REQUIREMENT

Online platforms are now required to establish a process for victims to report illegal deepfakes and must remove the content within 48 hours of receiving a valid notice.

ENFORCEMENT

Platforms acting in good faith to remove content are granted immunity from liability, while willful violations can result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day.

ELIGIBILITY

The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit was changed to begin from the date the victim discovers the illegal image, rather than the date the image was originally shared.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 1, 2026

How they voted

33–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

D Democratic25

22 Yea 3

88% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (33-0-3)

senate

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary

lower

26 primary · 0 co-sponsors