SSB 5886 / Chapter 69, Laws of 2026 — Personality rights: forged digital likeness

Summary

Amends Washington's personality rights law (RCW 63.60) to add 'forged digital likeness': a visual or audio representation of an identifiable person, digitally created or altered to be indistinguishable from a genuine one, that misrepresents the person. The act lets superior courts enjoin unauthorized use, raises the per-infringement amount to a civil penalty of $3,000 plus actual damages and attributable profits, and adds liability for noneconomic damages where the infringement involves a forged digital likeness.

Key dates

1. March 16, 2026Enacted
2. June 11, 2026Takes effect
3. October 16, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. Mar 16 Governor signed. Chapter 69, 2026 Laws. (View session law) Effective date 6/11/2026.

   Supports: Signing date, chapter number and effective date

   SB 5886 – 2025-26 bill summary Washington State Legislature Primary source

2. subject to a civil penalty of $3,000 and liable for the actual

   Supports: Penalty amount

   PERSONALITY RIGHTS–FORGED DIGITAL LIKENESS EFFECTIVE DATE: June 11, 2026

   Supports: Subject and effective date

   Substitute Senate Bill 5886, Chapter 69, Laws of 2026 (session law) Washington State Legislature Primary source