Committee adopts substitute to let attorney general or local prosecutors enforce image-protection law

The Senate committee unanimously passed a substitute to SB 418 on Tuesday that creates a state civil enforcement tool for unauthorized exploitation of an individual’s image, with special protections for minors.

Sponsor Senator Burns told the panel the substitute protects Georgians, especially minors, from unauthorized use of an individual's image combined with depictions of explicit conduct and creates civil enforcement by the attorney general. The substitute also clarifies a 10-year filing window and says a minor may bring action within 10 years of their 18th birthday.

The committee debated who should have enforcement authority. Senator Steele and others suggested widening enforcement beyond the attorney general to include district attorneys or solicitors. Legislative counsel recommended the term "prosecuting attorney," and the substitute was amended to allow the attorney general or an appropriate prosecuting attorney to bring enforcement actions; committee members agreed the change was friendly and adopted it unanimously.

Senator Burns said the substitute relocates definitions and that internet service providers are not liable where they only provide access or connection.

The committee passed the substitute by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous support for the committee substitute.

Quotation: “What whatever the committee whatever the will of the committee is, we're trying to protect individuals from being abused,” Senator Burns said.

Next steps: The bill moves forward to the next stage of Senate consideration.