Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah SB256: Identity Protection Modifications
Status: Signed into law, March 26, 2026
This bill amends provisions related to libel and slander to address artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
0 Identity Protection Modifications 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Kirk A. Cullimore House Sponsor: Jordan D. Teuscher LONG TITLE General Description: This bill amends provisions related to libel and slander to address artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - clarifies that defamation law applies to content created through artificial intelligence or other technological means; - requires notice to a publisher before filing a defamation action based on digitally created content; - limits recovery to actual damages if the publisher removes the content within 10 days after receiving notice; - establishes an exclusive right to consent to the use of an individual's personal identity; - expands the definition of abuse of personal identity to include unauthorized distribution and trafficking in identity-replication tools; - provides exemptions for certain uses of personal identity; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 45-3-2 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 472 45-3-3 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 472 45-3-4 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 472 45-3-5 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 472 45-3-6 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter …
Sponsors
- Cullimore, Kirk A. (R, 19) · primary sponsor
- Jordan Teuscher (R, 44)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : Senate/ to Governor
- : Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
- : Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
- : Senate/ received from House
- : House/ to Senate
Votes
- House/ passed 3rd reading (March 5, 2026): 73 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 27, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 25, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 24, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 9, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Technology, Public Utilities and Technology, Internet Protocols, Artificial Intelligence, Publications and Broadcasting, Electronic Privacy, Data and Cyber Security
Common questions
- What is SB256?
- SB256 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Identity Protection Modifications.
- What does SB256 do?
- This bill amends provisions related to libel and slander to address artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content.
- What is the status of SB256?
- Signed into law as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB256?
- Cullimore, Kirk A. (R, 19), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB256?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0256.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.