Virginia · 2025 Regular Session · Bill
SB 1053: Synthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 1053 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 7, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Synthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause. Primary sponsor: Adam P. Ebbin. Most recent recorded action (March 24, 2025): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0407).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Synthetic digital content; penalty; work group. Expands the applicability of provisions related to defamation, slander, and libel to include synthetic digital content, defined in the bill. The bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to use any synthetic digital content for the purpose of committing any criminal offense involving fraud, constituting a separate and distinct offense with punishment separate and apart from any punishment received for the commission of the primary criminal offense. The bill also authorizes the individual depicted in the synthetic digital content to bring a civil action against the person who violates such prohibition to recover actual damages, reasonable attorney fees, and such other relief as the court determines to be appropriate. The bill directs the Attorney General to convene a work group to study and make recommendations on the current enforcement of laws related to the use of synthetic digital content, including deepfakes, and any further action needed to address the issue of such use in fraudulent acts. The substantive provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly and the provisions directing the Attorney General to convene a work group become effective in due course. This bill is identical to HB 2124.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam P. Ebbin | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0407)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 407 (Effective - see bill)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
- Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 3, 2025
- Signed by President
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1053ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed House (89-Y 8-N)
- Read third time
- Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history