SB 753 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages, statute of limitations.

Summary

Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages; statute of limitations. Expands the existing ability for any person to maintain a suit in equity, including the accompanying remedies available and statute of limitations, for the unauthorized use of his name, portrait, or picture for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade to include the unauthorized use of his voice or likeness. This bill is identical to HB 581.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill has been formally enacted into law as Chapter 630 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive legal text regarding unauthorized use of voice or likeness remains unchanged, but the document's formatting has been updated to reflect its official status as approved legislation.

TECHNICAL

The document was converted from a draft 'Enrolled' version to a finalized 'Chaptered' version, adding official approval dates and chapter numbers while removing draft session headers.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 630 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB753ER)

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Communications, Technology and Innovation (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice and referred to Communications, Technology and Innovation (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCJ sub: Civil

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice (11-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Presented and ordered printed 26104402D

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors