Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1751: An Act concerning a right of publicity
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
Section 1. Definitions As used in this act and sections 2 through 8, inclusive: "Name" refers to the actual or assumed name of a living or deceased individual used to identify that individual. "Persona" means the name, voice, distinctive mannerisms and gestures, signature, photograph, or likeness of an individual, or any element thereof. "Right of publicity" means the property right in an individual's persona for a commercial or fundraising purpose. Section 2. Right of Publicity Each individual shall have a right of publicity in their persona, which shall be freely transferable, assignable, and licensable by means of inter vivos or testamentary transfer, including by will, trust, contract, or other permissible mechanisms. This right shall survive the individual’s death and shall apply regardless of whether the right was exploited during the individual's lifetime. Section 3. Unauthorized Use Prohibited No person may use any aspect of an individual’s right of publicity for the following purposes without prior written consent of the individual or their authorized representative during their lifetime or for seventy years after their death: For commercial purposes, including product or service advertising. For fundraising or soliciting donations. To digitally or otherwise alter the individual’s persona in a manner that: Causes the individual to appear to say or do things they did not consent to, or Places the individual in a …
Sponsors
- Kate Hogan (D, 3rd Middlesex) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 07/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-2
- : Hearing rescheduled to 07/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H1751?
- H1751 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act concerning a right of publicity.
- What is the status of H1751?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1751?
- Kate Hogan (D, 3rd Middlesex).
- Where is the official record for H1751?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1751
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.