The "Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act" aims to establish legal protections for individuals whose private, intimate images are disclosed without their consent. The bill defines key terms such as "intimate image," "consent," and "harm," and creates a civil cause of action for individuals who suffer harm from intentional or threatened disclosures of their intimate images. It specifies that a depicted individual retains a reasonable expectation of privacy even if the image was created in a public setting, and outlines the conditions under which a person may be exempt from liability, such as disclosures made in good faith to law enforcement or for legal proceedings.
Additionally, the bill sets forth the damages a prevailing plaintiff may recover, including economic and noneconomic damages, statutory damages up to $10,000, and any monetary gain made by the defendant from the disclosure. It also allows for the recovery of attorney's fees and costs, and provides a timeline for filing actions related to unauthorized disclosures or threats to disclose intimate images. The act is designed to be consistent with existing federal laws and does not alter the state's sovereign immunity laws. The provisions will take effect upon the Governor's approval and will apply to causes of action accruing after that date.