WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
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.
(a) For purposes of this chapter, "candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a)" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, "synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b)" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.
(c) 1 A candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a), authorized candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 shall not, within ninety (90) days of any election at which a candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) for elective office will appear on a ballot, distribute synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) that the candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a), authorized candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 knows or should know is deceptive and fraudulent synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b), as defined in subsection (b) of this section.
(d)(1)–(3) 2 The prohibition in subsection (c) of this section does not apply if the image, audio recording, or video recording includes a disclosure stating that the image has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. (2) For visual media, the text of the disclosure shall appear in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer, and no smaller than the largest font size of any other text appearing in the visual media. If the visual media does not include any other text, the disclosure shall appear in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer. For visual media that is a video, the disclosure shall appear for the duration of the video. (3) If the media consists of audio only, and no visual disclosure is feasible, the disclosure shall be read in a clearly spoken manner, and in a speed and pitch that can be easily heard by the average listener, at the beginning of the audio, at the end of the audio, and, if the audio is greater than two (2) minutes in length, interspersed within the audio at intervals of not greater than two (2) minutes.
This section defines the key terms and establishes the bill's core prohibition. Synthetic media is defined broadly to cover AI-manipulated images, audio, and video that would deceive a reasonable person. The operative prohibition bars candidates, campaign committees, PACs, political party committees, and independent expenditure entities from distributing synthetic media they know or should know is deceptive within 90 days of any election at which a candidate appears on the ballot.
The section provides a disclosure safe harbor: the prohibition does not apply if the media includes a statement disclosing that the content was manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. The statute specifies detailed formatting requirements — for visual media, the disclosure must be at least as large as the largest other text and must appear for the full duration of any video; for audio-only media, the disclosure must be spoken at the beginning and end, and at two-minute intervals for longer content.
(a) A candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) whose appearance, actions, or speech are depicted through the use of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) in violation of § 17-30-1 may seek injunctive or other equitable relief from a candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a), authorized candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 prohibiting the distribution of audio or visual synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) in violation of this chapter.
(b) A candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) whose appearance, actions, or speech are depicted using synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) may also bring an action for general or special damages against a candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a), authorized candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a) campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 that generated the synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b). The court may also award a prevailing party reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. This subsection shall not be construed to limit or preclude a plaintiff from recovering under any other available remedy.
(c) In any civil action alleging a violation of this chapter, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of establishing the violation through clear and convincing evidence.
This section creates the bill's exclusive enforcement mechanism — a private right of action available only to the depicted candidate. The candidate may seek injunctive or equitable relief to stop the distribution of violative synthetic media, and may also bring an action for general or special damages against the entity that generated the media. The court may award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing party. The statute expressly preserves the plaintiff's ability to recover under any other available remedy.
Notably, the plaintiff must prove the violation by clear and convincing evidence, a heightened evidentiary standard that may reflect the legislature's sensitivity to First Amendment concerns surrounding restrictions on political speech.
(a)(1)–(4) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following: (1) A radio or television broadcasting station, including a cable or satellite television operator and their affiliates, programmer, or producer, or mobile application or streaming service that exhibits, distributes, or broadcasts synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) as prohibited by this chapter provided that they are not distributing synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) as a political action committee or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3; (2) An Internet website, or a regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an Internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, and that publishes synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) as prohibited by this chapter, if the publication clearly states that the synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) does not accurately represent the speech or conduct of the candidateCandidate"Candidate" means and includes an incumbent or current office holder.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(a); (3) Synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (1) A depiction that, to a reasonable individual, appears to be a real individual in terms of appearance, action, or speech, but that did not occur in reality; and (2) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-1(b) that constitutes satire or parody; or (4) An interactive computer service as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 230.
(b) The provisions of this chapter shall not restrict the ability of a person to detect, prevent, respond to, or protect against security incidents, identity theft, fraud, harassment, malicious or deceptive activities, or any illegal activity, or preserve the integrity or security of systems or investigate, report, or prosecute those responsible for any such action.
This section carves out several categories of actors and conduct from the chapter's prohibition. Broadcasters, cable and satellite operators, mobile application providers, and streaming services are exempt so long as they are not themselves acting as a PAC or independent expenditure entity. News outlets and periodicals are exempt if they clearly disclaim that the synthetic media does not accurately represent the candidate's speech or conduct. Satire and parody are categorically exempt. Interactive computer services under 47 U.S.C. § 230 are exempt entirely — a broad carve-out that would shield social media platforms and hosting services from liability under this chapter.
A separate provision preserves the ability of any person to use synthetic media detection tools for security, fraud prevention, identity theft prevention, and law enforcement purposes.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision of this chapter or its application is held to be invalid, such holding shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision.
Standard severability clause providing that if any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, the remaining provisions and applications are not affected.