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R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-30-2

Right of action

Known as the Election Law

The act spans §§ 17–17 (616 sections).

P.L. 2025, ch. 409, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 410, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.

(a) A candidate whose appearance, actions, or speech are depicted through the use of synthetic media in violation of § 17-30-1 may seek injunctive or other equitable relief from a candidate, authorized candidate campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 prohibiting the distribution of audio or visual synthetic media in violation of this chapter.

(b) A candidate whose appearance, actions, or speech are depicted using synthetic media may also bring an action for general or special damages against a candidate, authorized candidate campaign committee, political action committee, political party committee, or person or entity making an independent expenditure as defined in § 17-25-3 that generated the synthetic media. The court may also award a prevailing party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. This subsection shall not be construed to limit or preclude a plaintiff from recovering under any other available remedy.

(c) In any civil action alleging a violation of this chapter, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of establishing the violation through clear and convincing evidence.

Official source: Rhode Island General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Rhode Island statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.