SB 256 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Identity Protection Modifications

SB 256 updates Utah's defamation laws to address AI-generated content and identity protection. It clarifies that AI-created or digitally manipulated content (like deepfakes) still falls under libel/slander laws, requires publishers to receive written notice before a lawsuit can be filed, and limits damages to actual harm if the content is removed within 10 days of notice. The bill also establishes a new right for individuals to consent to the use of their personal identity (including voice, likeness, or name) and expands "identity abuse" to include unauthorized distribution of identity-replication tools. This directly affects content creators, publishers, and anyone whose identity might be used without consent in AI-generated media. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House committee review).
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Signed Mar 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 26, 2026
MINOR
The bill's effective date was updated from February 24, 2026, to March 11, 2026, and minor text corrections were made to remove redundant words like 'part' and 'chapter' throughout the document. These changes adjust when the new laws take effect and improve the clarity of the legal text.
Scope change
No substantive changes to the bill's scope, exemptions, or legal definitions were made; the changes are limited to the effective date and editorial text cleanup.
TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill was moved forward from February 24, 2026, to March 11, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Redundant words such as 'part' and 'chapter' were removed from several sentences to improve readability and legal precision.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

260
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 29
Feb 25, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
N Forward1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
19 Yea 3
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
46
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 26, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors