HB 2479

Abstract

Elections; political campaign advertisements; synthetic media; penalty. Prohibits electioneering communications containing synthetic media, as those terms are defined in the bill, from being published or broadcast without containing the following conspicuously displayed statement: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur." The bill creates a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of such prohibition and, for a willful violation, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill permits any registered voter who receives an electioneering communication in violation of this requirement to institute an action for preventative relief to prohibit the publication or dissemination of such electioneering communication, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction. This bill is identical to SB 775.

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-261, 19.2-249.2, 24.2-955, 24.2-955.1, 24.2-955.3, and 24.2-960 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9.5 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 7, consisting of a section numbered 24.2-961, relating to elections; political campaign advertisements; synthetic media; penalty.