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VA SB1736: Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty.

Effective Jul 1, 2019 Virginia · 2019 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

SB1736 · 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 Jul 1, 2019
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
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Virginia's 2019 law closes a gap in the crime of maliciously disseminating or selling nude or partially nude images of another person with intent to coerce, harass or intimidate (Code 18.2-386.2, a Class 1 misdemeanor). 'Another person' now includes a person whose image was used in creating, adapting or modifying a videographic or still image with intent to depict an actual person who is recognizable by face, likeness or other distinguishing characteristic, so deepfake intimate images are covered. Service providers are not liable for content provided by others. Effective July 1, 2019.

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

What it means for business

People who create or share fake intimate images of recognizable Virginians face criminal charges; platforms keep their safe harbor for user content.

Key provisions

  1. Code 18.2-386.2: 'another person' includes a person whose image was used to create, adapt or modify a videographic or still image depicting a recognizable actual person
  2. Covers malicious dissemination or sale of nude or partially nude images, created by any means, with intent to coerce, harass or intimidate
  3. Class 1 misdemeanor
  4. Internet service and information-service providers are not liable for content provided by another person
  5. Venue where the image is produced, reproduced, found, stored, received or possessed

Latest legislative action

Mar 18, 2019. Approved by Governor-Chapter 515 (effective 7/1/19)

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Intimate Images

Affected industries

TechnologyMedia

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

Related AI laws in Virginia

All Virginia bills →
HB2678 Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty. HB2124 Synthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause. SB1053 Synthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause. SB141 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. HB868 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. HB982 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.

Same topic in other states

Tennessee SB1346 AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 28 and Title 39, Chapter 17, rel Wyoming HB85 Unlawful dissemination of an intimate image. Oklahoma HB1364 Crimes and punishments; sexual obscenity; making certain acts unlawful; effectiv New Hampshire HB1319 Relative to prohibiting the nonconsensual dissemination of synthetic sexual imag Connecticut HB7287 An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2027, and Ma Montana HB514 Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images