Relating to the creation of certain explicit deep fake material; providing a private cause of action.
HB 421 creates new rules for deep fake generators (websites/apps that let users create AI-generated images/videos). It requires age verification before making explicit deep fakes (depicting real people in sexual or intimate acts), bans creation for anyone under 18, and mandates written consent from people 18+ depicted. Victims or their guardians can sue generators for damages, including mental anguish, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law directly affects deep fake platforms and individuals whose images are used without consent, particularly minors and those targeted with non-consensual explicit content. It takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 28, 2025
Last action Apr 30, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
3 edits
·
Apr 29, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted and cleaned up to remove internal markup symbols and extra spacing while preserving the original legislative content. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill's provisions regarding deep fake regulations, age verification requirements, or private cause of action rights.
TECHNICAL
Removed internal document markup symbols (like 1...1) and inconsistent spacing throughout the text
Standardized line breaks and paragraph formatting for readability
Corrected header information to show 'Engrossed version' and proper bill number formatting
Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2025
How they voted
145–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 147
Apr 29, 2025
D
Democratic60
98% Yea
R
Republican87
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Armando Walle
DDemocratic
P
MG
Mary González
DDemocratic
Co
Mihaela Pleșa
DDemocratic
Co
Penny Morales Shaw
DDemocratic
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