This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new section, 3-8-12a, which prohibits the use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence to influence elections. It defines key terms such as "artificial intelligence," "synthetic media," "creator," and "depicted individual," and establishes specific conditions under which the distribution of synthetic media is prohibited. Notably, it prohibits the distribution of synthetic media that falsely represents an individual within 90 days of an election, without the consent of the depicted individual, and with the intent to harm a candidate or influence election results. However, exceptions are made for synthetic media that includes a clear disclaimer about its manipulated nature.

The bill also outlines penalties for violations, classifying them as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 per violation. It allows individuals to file complaints with the state election commission regarding suspected violations and permits courts to impose civil penalties in civil actions against creators or sponsors of such content. Additionally, the Secretary of State is empowered to propose rules to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in political advertising by addressing the potential misuse of advanced media technologies in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-8-12a