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PA SB649: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offe…

Effective Sep 5, 2025 Pennsylvania · 2025–2026 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

SB649 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Sep 5, 2025
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
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Dead / vetoed
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View full title

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of digital forgery.

In one paragraph

Pennsylvania's Act 35 of 2025 adds 18 Pa.C.S. 4101.1, digital forgery. A person commits it by generating or creating and distributing a "forged digital likeness" as genuine, knowing or having reason to know it is forged, with intent to defraud or injure anyone. A forged digital likeness is a computer-generated image or voice recording of a real, identifiable person that closely resembles a genuine one, materially misrepresents them, is likely to deceive, and is made and shared without consent. It took effect 60 days after approval (July 7, 2025).

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Deepfake and voice-cloning tool makers are excepted as technology providers, but businesses distributing synthetic likenesses of real people should label them to rely on the notice defense.

Key provisions

  1. New 18 Pa.C.S. 4101.1: generating or creating and distributing a forged digital likeness as genuine, with intent to defraud or injure, is digital forgery
  2. First-degree misdemeanor; third-degree felony when part of a scheme to defraud, coerce or steal money or property
  3. Forged digital likeness: a computer-generated visual representation or voice recording of an actual, identifiable person that is likely to deceive and is made and distributed without consent
  4. Exceptions for constitutionally protected activity, law enforcement duties, providers or developers of the technology, and internet and information service providers
  5. Affirmative defense: reasonable action was taken to tell viewers or listeners the likeness was not genuine

Latest legislative action

Jul 7, 2025. Act No. 35 of 2025 (approved by the Governor July 7, 2025)

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Deepfakes

Affected industries

TechnologyMediaFinance

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

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HB1505 Public School Code of 1949 - omnibus amendments (Act 20 of 2026), including the SB1213 An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of t HB2398 Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.) - omnibus amendments (Act 130 of 2022), including high HB416 Fiscal Code - omnibus amendments (Act 45 of 2025), including section 1755-E on s HB1779 In preliminary provisions, providing for algorithmic pricing transparency and fa SB939 Establishing the Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Artificial Int

Same topic in other states

Montana HB513 Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penal New Hampshire HB1432 Relative to prohibiting certain uses of deepfakes and creating a private claim o Utah SB0256 Identity Protection Modifications Rhode Island S3338 Relating to Criminal Offenses -- Impersonation and Identity Fraud Tennessee HB2091 AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1 and Title New York S5959 Establishes the right of publicity and provides for a private right of action fo