RI Synthetic Intimate Imagery Law
Rhode Island Synthetic Intimate Imagery Law (H5046/S0136, 2025)
Rhode Island · 2025 RI H5046 / S0136
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 2, 2025
- Applies to
- Anyone who creates or distributes such imagery in Rhode Island
- Enforced by
- Rhode Island Attorney General; state prosecutors
Rhode Island updated its unauthorized-image ("revenge porn") statute to explicitly criminalize sexually explicit images that were created by a digital device or AI — i.e., synthetic nudes and explicit deepfakes of real people — making nonconsensual creation and distribution a crime. Signed into law July 2, 2025.
Who is protected: Individuals depicted in nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated/digitized images
Legal detail
2025 RI H5046 (companion S0136) amends the unauthorized-dissemination-of-sexually-explicit-images statute to cover images created or altered by a digital device/digitization (AI-generated synthetic intimate imagery). House passed Feb. 27, 2025; Senate concurred June 20, 2025; transmitted to Governor June 27; signed July 2, 2025; effective upon passage.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | July 2, 2025 |
| Citation | 2025 RI H5046 / S0136 |
| Penalties | Criminal penalties per the amended unauthorized-image statute |
| Topics | non-consensual intimate imagery · deepfakes · AI-generated images |
| News report | Rhode Island Updates 'Revenge Porn' Law to Include AI-Generated Deepfakes — Newport Buzz |
More AI rules in Rhode Island
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Rhode Island ALPR installation pause and 60-day review (2026) · In effect
- RI Privacy Law (RIDTPPA) · In effect
- Rhode Island 17-30 (ban on undisclosed election deepfakes near an election) · In effect
- Executive Order 24-06: Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers of… · In effect
Related non-consensual intimate imagery rules elsewhere
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Illinois HB 3851 — deepfake cyberbullying in schools (2026) · In effect
- TAKE IT DOWN Act · In effect
- DEFIANCE Act (deepfake-porn civil suits) · Proposed / pending
- NY S5959-D (2020, digital replicas + deepfake porn) · In effect
- Missouri Deepfake & Digital Media Protection Act · Proposed / pending
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