OH, US · AI law tracker

HB 185 — OH, US

HB 185 is an AI governance legislation from OH, currently introduced. The proposed Ohio HB 185 aims to regulate individual persona usage and prohibit specific deepfakes [1]. AIGI tracks 3 primary-source updates on this bill; the most recent was published on 2025-04-08.

Status & timeline

Regulatory stage
introduced
Bill status
introduced
Authority / governing body
Ohio General Assembly
Chamber
house
Document type
legislation

Next deadline: No fixed deadline — currently a legislative proposal for the 136th General Assembly (2025-2026)

Subscriber only

Full obligation matrix

ActorObligationDeadlineSource
userDo not create or distribute certain deepfakes that misuse an individual's persona.link →

Subscriber only

Enforcement risk score

25
/ 100

Announced regulation; enforcement footprint still forming.

Subscriber only

Role-based compliance checklist

  • general_counsel Monitor the status of HB 185 for potential enactment
  • product_manager Assess any existing or planned use of generative AI that involves persona usage for potential deepfake creation

Subscriber only

Vendor impact assessment

Vendor risk class
high
Procurement categories
content_moderation, marketing_personalization, other

Vendors providing generative AI or synthetic media services, especially those involving realistic human imagery or voice, will need to demonstrate compliance with potential prohibitions on deepfakes related to persona usage.

Sample vendor questions

  1. Does your service generate synthetic media or deepfakes?
  2. How do you ensure our use of your AI complies with persona rights and prohibits unauthorized deepfakes?
  3. What legal indemnities do you provide regarding generated content and persona infringement?

Intelligence briefs (3)

legislation 3/19/2025

Ohio HB 185: Legislative Proposal on Deepfakes and Persona Usage

Ohio HB 185 introduces legislation to prohibit certain deepfakes and regulate individual persona usage [1].

This development signals an emerging state-level focus on synthetic media governance and digital persona rights, potentially impacting AI deployment.

Deadline: No fixed deadline — currently in legislative process.

Primary source →
legislation 3/19/2025

Ohio HB 185: Deepfake Prohibition and Persona Usage Legislation Introduced

Ohio HB 185 proposes new regulations concerning individual persona usage and the prohibition of certain deepfakes [1].

This development signals emerging legislative focus on synthetic media governance and individual rights regarding digital likeness and content authenticity.

Deadline: No fixed deadline — refers to a bill under consideration, not yet effective law.

Primary source →

Frequently asked questions

What is HB 185?
Ohio House Bill 185 (HB 185) has been introduced during the 136th General Assembly (2025-2026) [2]. This legislative proposal focuses on regulating the usage of an individual's persona and aims to prohibit specific types of deepfakes [1]. The bill signifies a legislative effort within Ohio to address the growing capabilities of artificial intelligence in generating synthetic media and its implications for individual rights and digital likeness. Primary source →
Who does HB 185 affect?
This proposed legislation, if enacted, could affect creators and distributors of synthetic media, particularly those generating or disseminating deepfakes involving individuals' personas. Organizations operating within Ohio that utilize AI for content generation, advertising, or public relations might fall within the bill's scope. The focus on persona usage suggests impact on various industries including entertainment, marketing, and political campaigning. Companies developing or licensing AI models capable of realistic synthetic media generation should also monitor this bill's progression, as it could introduce new requirements for model design, disclosure, or usage restrictions within the state. Primary source →
What are the key dates for HB 185?
No fixed deadline — currently a legislative proposal for the 136th General Assembly (2025-2026) Primary source →
What is the current status of HB 185?
As of the last published update, HB 185 is at the "introduced" stage, with bill status "introduced". Primary source →
Where can I find the primary source for HB 185?
The primary source for the most recent update is at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb185. AIGI publishes the full citation chain plus every approved brief on this bill. Primary source →

Stay informed

Get briefs on every AI law, every morning.

Start 14-day trial →