SB 418 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Torts; cause of action against the knowing and unauthorized use of an individual's photograph or image together with representations of nudity or sexually explicit conduct; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding torts, so as to provide a cause of action against the knowing and unauthorized use of an individual's photograph or image together with representations of nudity or sexually explicit conduct; to provide for stays of such causes of action; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As introduced LC 49 2512 As Passed Senate · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand enforcement authority from private individuals to the Attorney General and prosecuting attorneys, allowing them to bring civil actions against unauthorized use of images with nudity or sexually explicit content. The changes also updated definitions to include photorealistic representations and added liability protections for internet service providers.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from allowing private individuals to sue to enabling government enforcement through the Attorney General and prosecuting attorneys with authority to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties.
ENFORCEMENT

Changed enforcement authority from private individuals bringing causes of action to the Attorney General or appropriate prosecuting attorney bringing civil enforcement actions.

Added authority for the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

DEFINITION

Updated definition of 'Image' to include 'readily identifiable depiction' and added new definitions for 'Photograph' to include 'photorealistic representation' and 'Sexually explicit conduct' referencing existing code sections.

REQUIREMENT

Added liability protection for internet service providers, search engine providers, and cloud service providers unless they created the content.

TIMELINE

Changed the statute of limitations trigger from when the cause of action arose to when the civil enforcement action arose.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

366
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 48
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic19
11 Yea 6 Nay 2
57% Yea
R Republican29
25 Yea 4
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors