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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 2321 establishes criminal penalties and fines for unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes and altered media
Last action · February 26, 2026: HCS Reported Do Pass (H)Sponsor: Bill Lucas
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri House Bill 2321 creates the "AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026," criminalizing the unauthorized publication or distribution of algorithmically altered images, audio, or video. The measure sets tiered fines and prison sentences ranging from two to five years depending on whether the content is published on public platforms, is sexual in nature, or results in serious harm to a depicted individual. Exemptions are provided for clearly labeled artistic, educational, journalistic, and research content.
Residents and content creators face criminal liability and fines up to $110,000 for publishing unauthorized deepfake media, while the state attorney general is required to report on enforcement impacts to the general assembly by August 28, 2028.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
content creators
Content creators must include clear and conspicuous notices on artistic, satirical, or educational AI-altered media and risk criminal penalties if publishing non-consensual likenesses.
online public communication platform users
Users face higher statutory fines and prison sentences if unauthorized AI-generated content is published or distributed through public internet platforms.
depicted individuals
Individuals whose likenesses, voices, or images are digitally altered gain legal protections against non-consensual publication and distribution.
Key Facts
- Establishes the "AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026" under section 1.2052.
- Defines algorithmically generated or altered content as any image, video, or audio recording wholly or substantially created, altered, or synthesized by automated means that materially changes a person's appearance, voice, or likeness.
- Defines consent as explicit, informed, freely given, and revocable authorization documented in writing, electronically, or through a verifiable method.
- Makes unauthorized publication of algorithmically altered content punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
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- Increases the penalty for unauthorized altered content published through an online public communication platform to up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
- Makes the unauthorized creation or distribution of sexual or pornographic algorithmically generated content punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $65,000, or both.
- Increases the penalty for unauthorized sexual or pornographic altered content on an online public communication platform to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $80,000, or both.
- Sets maximum penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $110,000, or both, for unauthorized sexual or pornographic altered content that results in serious harm to the dignity, reputation, or safety of the depicted individual.
- Exempts content that is clearly artistic, parodic, satirical, educational, or in the legitimate public interest, provided it includes a clear and conspicuous notice of artificial alteration.
- Exempts synthetic content created or shared without intent to harm that causes no material injury to dignity, reputation, or privacy.
- Exempts content used for bona fide research, journalism, or technological testing with appropriate safeguards and disclosure.
- Requires any verification or age-confirmation systems used for compliance to adhere to data minimization and privacy-by-design principles, prohibiting the retention or sale of biometric or facial recognition data by third parties.
- Requires the attorney general to submit a report to the general assembly on or before August 28, 2028, assessing penalty effectiveness, definition clarity, and impacts on free speech and research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes consent under this bill?
Are artistic or educational uses of AI exempt from these penalties?
What are the maximum penalties for distributing non-consensual sexual deepfakes online?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
8 actions- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Jan 22, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
Show 2 earlier actions
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 10, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of AI Content Liability
The bill creates a comprehensive statutory framework criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes with tiered penalties based on platform distribution and harm.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz75Current news / social attention level
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