This bill amends provisions related to libel and slander to address artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's laws on defamation and personal identity protection would be updated to address content created using artificial intelligence, computer animation, or other digital manipulation. Under this bill, using AI or similar technology to create false or defamatory content about someone would not be a legal defense, but a person would first have to send the publisher written notice describing the content and why it's false before filing a lawsuit; if the publisher removes the content within 10 days, the person could only recover actual documented losses rather than additional damages, and internet platforms that simply host others' content would not be held liable. The bill also gives every individual an exclusive right to control the use of their personal identity—including their image, voice, and video likeness, as well as AI-generated simulations of these—and makes clear that knowingly distributing or selling tools whose main purpose is unauthorized identity replication counts as abuse of that right; this right can be licensed during a person's life and passes to heirs for up to 70 years after death, including retroactively for people who died before the law takes effect. Several exemptions remain for uses such as news coverage, documentaries and biographical works, parody, satire, and other works of public interest or commentary, provided they don't falsely suggest the person actually participated, and a new disclosure exemption is added allowing AI-simulated content if it clearly discloses that it's a simulation. Compared to an earlier version of this bill, the substitute removes political campaigns from the news/public-interest exemption, narrows the fictional/nonfictional entertainment exemption, and adds new provisions clarifying how the identity right can be transferred, licensed, or inherited, and how remedies work in identity-abuse and publisher lawsuits.
Current version: SB0256S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Feb 5
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 9
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 24
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 25
House Rules
Feb 26
House Committee
Feb 27
House Floor Vote
Mar 5
Governor Signed
Mar 26
IntroductionFeb 5
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 9
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 24
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 25
House RulesFeb 26
House CommitteeFeb 27
House Floor VoteMar 5
Governor SignedMar 26
This bill amends provisions related to libel and slander to address artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's laws on defamation and personal identity protection would be updated to address content created using artificial intelligence, computer animation, or other digital manipulation. Under this bill, using AI or similar technology to create false or defamatory content about someone would not be a legal defense, but a person would first have to send the publisher written notice describing the content and why it's false before filing a lawsuit; if the publisher removes the content within 10 days, the person could only recover actual documented losses rather than additional damages, and internet platforms that simply host others' content would not be held liable. The bill also gives every individual an exclusive right to control the use of their personal identity—including their image, voice, and video likeness, as well as AI-generated simulations of these—and makes clear that knowingly distributing or selling tools whose main purpose is unauthorized identity replication counts as abuse of that right; this right can be licensed during a person's life and passes to heirs for up to 70 years after death, including retroactively for people who died before the law takes effect. Several exemptions remain for uses such as news coverage, documentaries and biographical works, parody, satire, and other works of public interest or commentary, provided they don't falsely suggest the person actually participated, and a new disclosure exemption is added allowing AI-simulated content if it clearly discloses that it's a simulation. Compared to an earlier version of this bill, the substitute removes political campaigns from the news/public-interest exemption, narrows the fictional/nonfictional entertainment exemption, and adds new provisions clarifying how the identity right can be transferred, licensed, or inherited, and how remedies work in identity-abuse and publisher lawsuits.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM