H 1751 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act concerning a right of publicity

This bill establishes a legal right for individuals (both living and deceased) to control the commercial use of their name, voice, image, or distinctive mannerisms - referred to as their "persona." It prohibits unauthorized use for advertising, fundraising, or digital alterations that misrepresent a person, even after death, and allows the right to be inherited or transferred. The law enables civil lawsuits by rights holders to seek damages (minimum $2,000 or actual losses), injunctions, and destruction of infringing materials, while exempting news reporting, artistic works, and truthful public interest uses. It applies to all activities within Massachusetts, regardless of where the person resides.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Kate Hogan
Kate Hogan
DDemocratic
MA
3rd Middlesex