This amendment creates a new law making it illegal to share realistic AI-generated images or voices of people without their permission if used for ads, fraud, or causing harm.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB2137
Hawaii Law on AI-Generated Realistic Digital Imitations
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law prohibits harmful uses of realistic artificial intelligence (AI) copies of people, requires clear labels for such content, and allows injured individuals to sue for damages.
What it does
- Prohibits creating or sharing realistic AI imitations of identifiable people without their consent if the use is commercial, likely to cause harm, falsely implies endorsement, or involves fraud, defamation, harassment, or other unlawful acts.
- Requires a visible label on video images and an audible warning on audio recordings stating that the content is generated by artificial intelligence.
- Allows individuals or their estates (for up to ten years after death) to file civil lawsuits against those who violate these rules to stop distribution and recover money for damages, including actual losses, emotional distress, and attorney fees.
- Sets specific exemptions for parody, satire, news reporting, and educational uses if they include clear disclosures and are not intended or reasonably foreseeable as deceptive.
Who it affects
- People in Hawaii whose voice, face, likeness, or performance is copied by artificial intelligence without permission.
- Businesses and individuals who create, publish, or distribute realistic AI-generated content that may cause harm or deceive people.
- News organizations and artists using synthetic media for parody, satire, news reporting, or education if they follow disclosure rules.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not apply to content that is clearly labeled as parody, satire, news reporting, or educational use if no harm is intended and it is not reasonably foreseeable to deceive.
- Civil lawsuits for damages can be filed by an individual's estate for up to ten years after the person dies.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Digital imitation
- Any AI-generated audio, video, or image that realistically appears to portray an actual individual's voice, face, likeness, or performance.
- Realistic
- So lifelike that a reasonable person would believe the content is authentic and not created by artificial intelligence.
- Consent
- Express, written permission given directly by the individual being depicted or their authorized representative.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Artificial Intelligence; Realistic Digital Imitations; Protections for Individuals Prohibits certain harmful uses of realistic digital imitations generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Establishes certain exemptions. Provides for civil actions and civil remedies for individuals injured by unauthorized AI-generated realistic digital imitations. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 247, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).H
- Act 247, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Pierick voting no (4) and none excused (0).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 65-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 65-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Keohokalole, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas, Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 9:20AM in conference room 016.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 9:30AM in conference room 016.H
- Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 9:15AM in conference room 016.H
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Elefante Chair; Keohokalole, Rhoads Co-Chairs; Lamosao.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon.H
Changes
Amendments
6 stored
This amendment creates new laws in Hawaii that ban making realistic fake videos or audio of people without their permission for harmful purposes, requires clear labels on AI content, and allows victims to sue for money.
This amendment creates new Hawaii laws to stop people from using AI to make fake videos or audio of real individuals without permission, especially for ads or harmful acts.
This amendment creates new laws in Hawaii that ban using AI to make realistic fake videos or audio of people without their permission, especially for ads or harmful acts.
This amendment creates new laws in Hawaii to stop people from using AI to make fake videos or audio of real individuals without permission, especially for ads or harmful acts.
This amendment creates new laws in Hawaii that ban using realistic AI copies of people without their permission for ads or harmful acts and requires clear labels when such content is shared.