SB-1142 • 2026

Digital Dignity Act.

Budget Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Becker
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific penalties for violations or details on enforcement mechanisms beyond civil actions.

Digital Dignity Act

The Digital Dignity Act makes it illegal for someone to distribute content using a digital replica if they know the content violates laws about false impersonation or defamation, and requires large online platforms with generative AI tools to allow users to revoke access to their digital replicas and report violations.

What This Bill Does

Makes it illegal for someone to distribute content that uses a digital replica if they know the content violates laws about false impersonation or defamation.
Requires large online platforms with generative AI tools to let users revoke access to their digital replicas and report any violations of terms of service or law.
Forces these platforms to remove digital replicas when ordered by a court, along with similar copies found on the platform.
Allows city attorneys and the Attorney General to sue for civil penalties if the act is violated.
Requires generative AI tool providers to keep records that can help enforce court orders.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use digital replicas of others
Large online platforms with generative AI tools
Generative AI tool providers

Terms To Know

Digital Replica: A virtual copy or representation of a person created using technology.
Generative AI Tool: Software that uses artificial intelligence to create content like images, text, and videos.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone violates the act but is not caught or punished.
It's unclear how this will affect smaller online platforms without generative AI tools.
There are no details on specific penalties for violating the Digital Dignity Act.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2026-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 21.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 6).
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on P., D.T., & C.P.
2026-03-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 6.
2026-02-26 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P. and JUD.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1142, as amended, Becker.
Digital Dignity Act.
Existing law prohibits the false impersonation of another person in either that person’s personal or official capacity with the intent to steal or defraud, as specified. Existing law protects all people from defamation, including libel and slander, as provided. Existing law makes any person who knowingly uses another’s name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness for commercial purposes, as specified, without that person’s prior consent liable for damages, as specified. Existing law provides that a party seeking relief pursuant to those provisions may also seek an injunction or temporary restraining order according to specified procedures.
This bill would enact the Digital Dignity Act. The act would subject to specified liability a person who, by distributing content with actual knowledge that the content includes
the use of
a digital replica,
violates
is found guilty of violating a
criminal
provisions in
provision for
which false impersonation of another is a required element, as prescribed, or is found liable
for defamation
in a civil
action,
action arising from the use or portrayal through a digital replica,
as provided.
The
Digital Dignity Act would require a
product, service, internet website, or application
large online platform
that
is both
includes
a generative AI tool, as defined,
and a large online platform
that
allows
provides
users
with the functionality
to create a
digital replica of other individuals to
implement and maintain
provide
a mechanism
by which users can revoke access to their
for individuals to report content that violates the platform’s terms of service or a provision of law relating to the individual’s
digital replica
created by other people using the large online platform’s generative AI tool
at any time,
and to submit to the large online platform any certified court order or judgment ordering the removal of any content involving the individual’s digital replica on the platform or finding that content involving the individual’s digital replica was defamatory, fraudulent, or any other form of image appropriation not permitted by law,
as prescribed.
Upon receipt of the court order or judgment, the act would require the large online platform to remove the digital replica and make reasonable efforts to identify and remove any known identical copies.
The act would authorize a city attorney or the Attorney General to bring a civil action to enforce these provisions and to seek a specified civil penalty and injunctive relief. The act would require a generative AI tool provider to
maintain, for no less than 90 days, records sufficient to allow compliance with a court order issued pursuant to a civil action by the city attorney or Attorney General, as prescribed.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF