SB1053Virginia2025 sessionPassed / Enacted
Synthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause.
Deepfakes & synthetic mediaLiability & private right of actionCriminal justice & policingStudies, task forces & definitions
Plain-language summary
Expands Virginia's defamation, slander, and libel laws to cover synthetic digital content and makes it a separate criminal offense to use such content to commit fraud. Allows depicted individuals to sue for damages and directs the Attorney General to convene a work group on deepfake enforcement. Most substantive provisions require reenactment by the 2026 legislative session to take effect.
Summary generated by AI from the official bill text — may contain errors.
History
Jan 7, 2025
SPrefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101514D
Jan 7, 2025
SReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Jan 20, 2025
SReported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 0-N)
Jan 21, 2025
SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
Jan 21, 2025
SConstitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N)
Jan 21, 2025
SRules suspended
Jan 21, 2025
SPassed by for the day
Jan 22, 2025
SRead second time
Jan 22, 2025
SReading of amendment waived
Jan 22, 2025
SCourts of Justice Amendment agreed to
Jan 22, 2025
SEngrossed by Senate as amended SB1053E
Jan 22, 2025
SPrinted as engrossed 25101514D-E
Jan 23, 2025
SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
Jan 23, 2025
SRules suspended
Jan 23, 2025
SReconsideration of Engrossment agreed to (39-Y 0-N)
Jan 23, 2025
SReading of amendment waived
Jan 23, 2025
SAmendment by Senator Ebbin, Adam P. agreed to
Jan 23, 2025
SReengrossed by Senate as amended
Jan 23, 2025
SPrinted as reengrossed 25101514D-E2
Jan 23, 2025
SConstitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N)
Jan 23, 2025
SPassed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
Jan 24, 2025
SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
Feb 4, 2025
HPlaced on Calendar
Feb 4, 2025
HRead first time
Feb 4, 2025
HReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Feb 4, 2025
HAssigned Courts sub: Criminal
Feb 5, 2025
HSubcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N)
Feb 10, 2025
HReported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)
Feb 12, 2025
HRead second time
Feb 13, 2025
HMoved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Feb 13, 2025
HRead third time
Feb 13, 2025
HPassed House (89-Y 8-N)
Feb 18, 2025
SEnrolled
Feb 18, 2025
SBill text as passed Senate and House (SB1053ER)
Feb 18, 2025
HSigned by Speaker
Feb 19, 2025
SFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1053)
Feb 20, 2025
SSigned by President
Mar 3, 2025
SEnrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 3, 2025
Mar 3, 2025
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
Mar 24, 2025
Approved by Governor-Chapter 407 (Effective - see bill)
Mar 24, 2025
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0407)
Progress
Introduced
Engrossed
Enrolled
Passed
Signed into lawMar 24, 2025
Sponsors
AE
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D)Prime sponsor
Sources
Always verify against the official source. Summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors.