Substitute House Bill No. 5342 seeks to regulate the distribution of deceptive synthetic media—manipulated images, audio, or video that misrepresent an individual's speech or conduct—particularly in the context of elections. The bill prohibits the distribution of such media during the ninety days leading up to an election or primary if the distributor knows or should reasonably know that the media is deceptive, lacks the consent of the depicted individual, and is intended to harm a candidate or influence election outcomes. It introduces new legal definitions for terms like "candidate" and "deceptive synthetic media," while deleting outdated provisions. The bill also outlines specific exemptions for certain types of media, such as parody and legally required political advertising, and mandates that deceptive media must include disclaimers regarding its manipulated nature.

The legislation establishes penalties for violations, categorizing offenses based on intent and audience size, with potential consequences ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. It allows the Attorney General and affected individuals to initiate civil actions against violators, seeking injunctions and damages. The bill also includes provisions to protect internet service providers from liability for the transmission of content created by others. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in media communications while balancing free speech considerations, requiring disclaimers for manipulated audio and video content and allowing broadcasters to air such media under specific conditions.