Michigan HB 5144: AI Political Deepfake Law / Materially Deceptive Media in Elections
HB 5144 — Public Act 265 of 2023 (approved Nov 30, 2023 — Gov. Whitmer); part of a package with HB 5141, 5143 and 5145
- Effective date
- Feb 13, 2024
- Enforcement
- State prosecutors (criminal); injunctions may be sought by the Attorney General, the depicted individual, an injured candidate or an organization representing voters
- Scope
- Distributing materially deceptive media (such as AI-generated depictions of candidates) within 90 days before an election, knowing it falsely represents the person depicted and intending both to harm a candidate and to change how people vote by deceiving them. Does not apply when the media carries a clearly visible disclaimer that it "has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur."
- Maximum penalty
- Misdemeanor — up to 90 days and/or $500; a repeat violation within 5 years is a felony — up to 5 years and/or $1,000. Courts may issue permanent injunctions.