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
Kate Hogan
DDemocratic
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