Massachusetts · House Bill · 194th General Court (2025–2026)
HB90
An Act regulating provenance regarding artificial intelligence

Status ● Introduced Effective N/A Passage Likelihood L

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
No enforcement mechanism, penalties, or private right of action specified in the bill text.
Private Right of Action
No private right of action. Enforcement is exclusive to the designated authority.
Penalties
The bill does not specify any remedies, penalties, or damages.

What This Bill Requires

Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
G.L. c. 93, § 115
Provenance Regarding Artificial Intelligence
DeployerDeveloperManufacturer

definitions Artificial IntelligenceArtificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence or "AI" – a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment.G.L. c. 93, § 115 or "AI" – a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment. Capture DeviceCapture DeviceCapture Device – a device that can record photographs, audio, or video content, including, but not limited to, video and still photography cameras, mobile phones with built-in cameras or microphones, and voice recorders.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – a device that can record photographs, audio, or video contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115, including, but not limited to, video and still photography cameras, mobile phones with built-in cameras or microphones, and voice recorders. ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – any visual and/or audio digital contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115. GenAI ModelGenAI ModelGenAI Model – an AI model designed to generate new data or content based on the patterns or structures from its training data. For clarity, this does not include non-generative capabilities like classification, predictions or labeling.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – an AI model designed to generate new data or contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 based on the patterns or structures from its training data. For clarity, this does not include non-generative capabilities like classification, predictions or labeling. GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – an organization that develops a GenAI ToolGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents. GenAI ToolGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI modelGenAI ModelGenAI Model – an AI model designed to generate new data or content based on the patterns or structures from its training data. For clarity, this does not include non-generative capabilities like classification, predictions or labeling.G.L. c. 93, § 115 to end users. Large Online PlatformLarge Online PlatformLarge Online Platform – a public-facing social media platform, content-sharing platform, messaging platform, advertising network, or standalone search engine that distributes content to users who did not create or collaborate in creating the content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – a public-facing social media platform, contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115-sharing platform, messaging platform, advertising network, or standalone search engine that distributes contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 to users who did not create or collaborate in creating the contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115. Provenance Application ToolProvenance Application ToolProvenance Application Tool – a tool or online service that allows users to easily apply Provenance Data.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – a tool or online service that allows users to easily apply Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115. Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – information such as the origin of a piece of ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 and the history of modifications to the ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 is Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115; and (b) when there is synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115, the name of the GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 whose GenAI ToolGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115 generated the Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115. Provenance ReaderProvenance ReaderProvenance Reader – a tool or service that allows users to view Provenance Data and its integrity.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – a tool or service that allows users to view Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 and its integrity. Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115 – visual and/or audio ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that has been produced or modified by a GenAI ToolGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115.

operative paragraph 1 1 A GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 shall apply Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115, either directly or through the use of third-party technology, to wholly-generated Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115 generated by the GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115's GenAI ToolGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115.

operative paragraph 2 2 A GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 shall make available a Provenance Application ToolProvenance Application ToolProvenance Application Tool – a tool or online service that allows users to easily apply Provenance Data.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that enables the user to apply Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115, either directly or through the use of third-party technology, to ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that has been modified to include Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115.

operative paragraph 3 3 A GenAI ProviderGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 shall make available to the public, a Provenance ReaderProvenance ReaderProvenance Reader – a tool or service that allows users to view Provenance Data and its integrity.G.L. c. 93, § 115.

operative paragraph 4 4 A Large Online PlatformLarge Online PlatformLarge Online Platform – a public-facing social media platform, content-sharing platform, messaging platform, advertising network, or standalone search engine that distributes content to users who did not create or collaborate in creating the content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 shall (a) retain any available Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 in ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 provided to, or posted on, such Large Online PlatformLarge Online PlatformLarge Online Platform – a public-facing social media platform, content-sharing platform, messaging platform, advertising network, or standalone search engine that distributes content to users who did not create or collaborate in creating the content.G.L. c. 93, § 115; and (b) make available to a consumer of ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 either (1) the Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115; or (2) a conspicuous indicator that Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 is available, or both.

operative paragraph 5 5 A Capture DeviceCapture DeviceCapture Device – a device that can record photographs, audio, or video content, including, but not limited to, video and still photography cameras, mobile phones with built-in cameras or microphones, and voice recorders.G.L. c. 93, § 115 must (a) include in the Device's default capture app the ability for a user to enable the inclusion of Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 in the user's captured ContentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 (b) Ensure secure hardware-based provenance capture is available to 3rd party applications.

Section 115 creates a comprehensive AI content provenance framework, imposing obligations across three actor categories. GenAI Providers must embed standards-compliant Provenance Data in wholly AI-generated synthetic content, offer users a tool to apply provenance data to content that has been modified with synthetic elements, and make a public provenance reader available. Large Online Platforms must retain provenance data present in content distributed on their platforms and surface it — or at least a conspicuous indicator of its availability — to content consumers. Capture Device manufacturers must enable provenance data inclusion in their default capture applications and expose secure hardware-based provenance capture to third-party applications.

The section defines Provenance Data by reference to standards-body specifications, effectively requiring interoperability (e.g., C2PA). Notably, the bill contains no enforcement mechanism, no penalty schedule, and no private right of action, leaving the obligations without an express compliance backstop.

Compliance actions 5 items
1
GenAI ProvidersGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 must embed standards-compliant Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 in all wholly AI-generated Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115 produced by their GenAI ToolsGenAI ToolGenAI Tool – a product or feature that provides the outputs from a GenAI model to end users.G.L. c. 93, § 115, either directly or through third-party technology.
T-02.2
2
GenAI ProvidersGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 must make available a Provenance Application ToolProvenance Application ToolProvenance Application Tool – a tool or online service that allows users to easily apply Provenance Data.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that enables users to apply standards-compliant Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 to contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 that has been modified to include Synthetic ContentSynthetic ContentSynthetic Content – visual and/or audio Content that has been produced or modified by a GenAI Tool.G.L. c. 93, § 115.
T-02.2
3
GenAI ProvidersGenAI ProviderGenAI Provider – an organization that develops a GenAI Tool that is made publicly available for use by Massachusetts residents.G.L. c. 93, § 115 must make a Provenance ReaderProvenance ReaderProvenance Reader – a tool or service that allows users to view Provenance Data and its integrity.G.L. c. 93, § 115 publicly available that allows any person to view Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 and verify its integrity.
T-02.7
4
Large Online PlatformsLarge Online PlatformLarge Online Platform – a public-facing social media platform, content-sharing platform, messaging platform, advertising network, or standalone search engine that distributes content to users who did not create or collaborate in creating the content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 must (1) retain any available Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 in contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 provided to or posted on the platform and (2) make available to contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 consumers either the Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 itself, a conspicuous indicator that Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 is available, or both.
T-02.4
5
Capture DeviceCapture DeviceCapture Device – a device that can record photographs, audio, or video content, including, but not limited to, video and still photography cameras, mobile phones with built-in cameras or microphones, and voice recorders.G.L. c. 93, § 115 manufacturers must (1) include in the device's default capture app the ability for users to enable inclusion of Provenance DataProvenance DataProvenance Data – information such as the origin of a piece of Content and the history of modifications to the Content – that is in a format which is compliant with widely-adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established standards-setting body, and which includes but is not limited to: (a) whether some or all of the content is Synthetic Content; and (b) when there is synthetic Content, the name of the GenAI Provider whose GenAI Tool generated the Synthetic Content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 in captured contentContentContent – any visual and/or audio digital content.G.L. c. 93, § 115 and (2) ensure secure hardware-based provenance capture is available to third-party applications.
T-02.2

Passage Likelihood

Low
Status Introduced
Chamber No passage
Committee No action
Majority party Yes
Bipartisan No
Prior session None

Legislative History

2025-02-27 Referred to the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
2025-02-27 Senate concurred
2025-08-28 Hearing rescheduled to 09/11/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to include Virtual
2026-02-12 Accompanied a study order, see H5073

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-20
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