Texas HB401 criminalizes creating and distributing misleading videos, known as deep fakes, with intent to influence election outcomes.

Texas HB401 amends the Election Code to establish a criminal offense for creating and distributing deep fake videos with the intent to harm a candidate or sway election results. The bill specifies that an offense occurs if a person creates a deep fake video and causes it to be published or distributed within 30 days of an election. The law applies only to offenses committed after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses committed before this date remain governed by existing laws.

Texas HB401 criminalizes creating and distributing misleading videos, known as deep fakes, with intent to influence election outcomes.

Texas HB401 amends the Election Code to establish a criminal offense for creating and distributing deep fake videos with the intent to harm a candidate or sway election results. The bill specifies that an offense occurs if a person creates a deep fake video and causes it to be published or distributed within 30 days of an election. The law applies only to offenses committed after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses committed before this date remain governed by existing laws.