Substitute House Bill No. 5450 (sHB5450 File No. 415) introduces legal measures to regulate the distribution of "deceptive synthetic media" in the context of elections, defining it as manipulated media created or altered using artificial intelligence that could be mistaken for genuine depictions of individuals. The bill prohibits the distribution of such media without the consent of the depicted individual and with the intent to harm a candidate or influence the outcome of an election, specifically within the 90-day period preceding an election or primary. However, the bill allows for the distribution of deceptive synthetic media if it includes a disclaimer that clearly indicates the media has been manipulated and cites the original unedited sources, or if it is part of legitimate news coverage with appropriate disclaimers.

Violations of the bill's provisions are subject to criminal penalties, ranging from a class C misdemeanor to a class D felony for more severe offenses or if the intent is to incite violence or reach a large audience. The bill also permits civil actions by the Attorney General, affected individuals, or candidates for injunctive relief, damages, and recovery of attorney's fees for prevailing parties. The bill includes a fiscal note regarding potential minimal costs to the Department of Correction and the Judicial Department, as well as potential minimal revenue gains from fines. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024.