News Missouri HB 1887 Taylor Swift Act Deepfakes 2026
Missouri House Bill 1887, dubbed the Taylor Swift Act, creates civil and criminal penalties for non-consensual disclosure of intimate or underage digital depictions, including AI-generated deepfakes. The perfected version (HCS HBs 1887, 2361, 1913, 2862 & 2321) expands the bill to broader AI regulations, social media age verification, and AI misuse prohibitions. The Missouri House of Representatives approved the bill on April 20, 2026, and it now advances to the Missouri Senate.[1][2][3]
Key Provisions
Civil Cause of Action (Section 537.043)
The bill creates a civil cause of action targeting the non-consensual disclosure of: (1) digital depictions of individuals under 18, and (2) intimate digital depictions (nudity or sexual acts, whether real or AI-generated). Victims may seek damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. Exceptions apply for good-faith law enforcement reports, legal proceedings, legitimate public interest, or aid to the depicted person. Disclaimers such as "AI-generated" are not a defense.[1][3]
Criminal Offense (RSMo 573.570)
The bill establishes criminal penalties for the disclosure or threatened disclosure of non-consensual intimate digital depictions. The crime is classified as a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class E felony for subsequent offenses. AI-generated deepfakes are explicitly covered, meaning creating or distributing AI-generated sexual depictions without consent is a criminal act.[1][3]
Social Media Age Verification and AI Misuse
The perfected substitute bill combines HB 1887 with several companion bills, adding provisions for social media age verification and prohibiting the use of AI for harassment, intimidation, or deceit. These additions expand the original deepfake focus to cover broader AI misuse patterns.[1][2]
Legislative History
- February 2026: HB 1887 introduced in Missouri House of Representatives[1]
- April 20, 2026: Approved by Missouri House, advancing to Senate[2]
Significance
Missouri's Taylor Swift Act is one of the most comprehensive deepfake protection bills advancing in 2026, combining criminal penalties with civil remedies and explicitly covering AI-generated depictions. The bill's nickname references high-profile deepfake incidents involving Taylor Swift, which galvanized public and legislative attention to the issue. Unlike many state deepfake bills that focus solely on election-related deepfakes or non-consensual intimate imagery, HB 1887 also addresses AI misuse more broadly through its social media and harassment provisions. If enacted, Missouri would join a growing number of states enforcing criminal penalties for AI-generated deepfake content.[3][2]
See Also
- Nineteen States Pass New AI Laws
- State AI Legislation Roundup (April 24, 2026)
- Kansas Governor Signs Three AI Laws