AI Frontier Institute

An Act Concerning The Use Of Artificial Intelligence And Other Means To Generate Deceptive Synthetic Media And Affect Elections.

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Connecticut Substitute Bill No. 5342 has not been enacted. It cleared the Government Administration and Elections and Judiciary committees and was tabled on the House calendar on 2026-04-20. If enacted, it would create a new section effective July 1, 2026. Section 1(b) would bar anyone from distributing, or agreeing to distribute, a communication containing "deceptive synthetic media" in the 90 days before an election or primary. Deceptive synthetic media is an image, audio or video of a real person, or a representation derived from one, that a reasonable person would believe shows speech or conduct the person never engaged in. The ban applies only if three conditions are met. First, the distributor knows or should reasonably know the media is deceptive. For public officials or public figures, reckless disregard also counts. Second, the person depicted did not consent. Third, the distribution is intended to injure a candidate or influence the election result. Section 1(c) allows distribution if the communication carries prescribed disclaimers. Images need a visible text disclaimer, audio needs a spoken disclaimer at the start, at the end and at least every 30 seconds, and video needs a text disclaimer for its whole duration. Manipulated existing media must also cite the original source. Section 1(c)(2) also exempts broadcasters and news outlets that carry the media as bona fide news, keep or add the disclaimer, and state that the media is deceptive. Section 1(d) lets broadcasters require an attestation from advertisers and shields them from liability unless they later learn the media is deceptive and keep distributing it. Section 1(e) sets criminal penalties for violations where the intended audience exceeds 1,000 people. The base penalty is a class C misdemeanor. It rises to a class A misdemeanor if the intent was to cause violence or bodily harm, or if the audience exceeds 10,000. It rises to a class D felony if the violation comes less than five years after a prior conviction. Section 1(f) allows the Attorney General, the depicted individual, or an injured candidate to sue for injunctions. The depicted individual or an injured candidate may also sue for damages. Plaintiffs must prove their case by clear and convincing evidence, and prevailing parties other than the Attorney General may be awarded attorney's fees. Section 1(g) exempts parody and satire that a reasonable person would not take as real. It also exempts communications that federal law requires to be carried, such as under 47 USC 315. It also protects broadband, telecommunications, satellite and cable providers that merely transmit others' content.

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