S7676B
An act to amend the General Obligations Law — 2024-06-06 · Calendar #945
The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Ramos to protect actors from unauthorized artificial intelligence replication of their likeness and voice without informed consent. The bill, S7676B, amending the General Obligations Law, passed on a 60-0 roll call vote. Sen. Ramos explained that the measure resulted from negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and studios, addressing concerns that production companies buried consent language in contracts to gain ownership of actors' likenesses for AI use. "Imagine the experience of turning on your TV and seeing yourself in a commercial or a movie that you actually never filmed," Ramos said. She characterized the bill as a commonsense solution that keeps workers and consumers safe while New York State advances in emerging technology. The legislation takes effect January 1, 2025.
PASSED
Ayes: 60
· Nays: 0
Debate Summary
Sen. Ramos explained her vote in support of legislation to protect actors from having their likeness replicated by AI without informed consent. She noted the bill resulted from negotiations between SAG and studios, addressing concerns that studios buried consent language in contracts to gain ownership of actors' likenesses for AI use. Ramos characterized the measure as a commonsense solution that keeps workers and consumers safe while New York State advances in emerging technology.