Governor Whitmer Signs Bill Honoring Fallen Officer and Protecting Against Deepfakes

Things have been moving like molasses at the state capital in Lansing.

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With the state House controlled by Republicans and the state Senate controlled by Democrats, Michigan has seen the fewest bills passed in over 30 years.

On Tuesday, August 26, Michigan Governor Whitmer was able to sign three new bills that managed to get through both the state House and Senate

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Three New Laws

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three bipartisan bills into law.

Two of the bills were about non-consensual sexual deepfakes, and the third honors a fallen police officer.

Here is a breakdown of the three new laws:

Criminalization of Sexual Deepfakes (House Bills 4047 and 4048): These two bills make it a crime to create and distribute sexually explicit deepfakes—images or videos created with artificial intelligence or other digital tools that feature a person without their consent.

House Bill 4047 creates the new criminal offenses and provides for a civil cause of action for victims.

House Bill 4048 establishes sentencing guidelines for the new crimes.

A first offense is a misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses or online distribution can be charged as a felony.

Read More: 25 Things Michigan Is Known And Famous For

This new law also allows victims to sue the creator or distributor of the deepfake.

Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway (Senate Bill 70): This bill designates a portion of M-34 in Hillsdale County as the "Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway" to honor the officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 2024.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer had this to say about the new laws:

"As a county prosecutor, I went after people who used their power to prey on others, Now, as governor, I’m proud to sign these bipartisan bills into law, so we can protect Michiganders from this rising form of sexual exploitation. I’ll keep working with anyone to protect Michiganders from blackmail or retribution, because no one should have to live in fear. Together, let’s get it done.”