Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that classifies the creation of intimate deep fake media that involves a minor as a felony in Texas.

Highlights:

• Classifies the creation of intimate deep fake media that involves a minor under the age of 18 as a felony crime in Texas (Sec. 1-2).

• Defines “deep fake media” as a visual depiction (video) created or altered through or with the use of software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or any other computer-generated or technological means, including by adapting, modifying, manipulating, or altering an authentic visual depiction manually or through an automated process with the intent to deceive, that appears to a reasonable individual to depict a real person, indistinguishable from an authentic visual depiction of the real person, performing an action that did not occur in reality (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a court shall order a defendant convicted of an offense under this section to make restitution to the victim of the offense for any psychological, financial, or reputational harm incurred by the victim as a result of the offense (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning September 1, 2025 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text