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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 324 FILED ON: 1/11/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 32
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Julian Cyr
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
resolve:
Resolve relative to digital impersonation and exploitation.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Julian CyrCape and Islands 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 324 FILED ON: 1/11/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 32
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 32) of Julian Cyr that provisions be
made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General
Court) relative to the potential impacts and legal implications of advanced technology and the
internet on protecting individuals from exploitation. Advanced Information Technology, the
Internet and Cybersecurity.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve relative to digital impersonation and exploitation.
1 Resolved, (a) There shall be a commission to examine and investigate the potential
2impacts and legal implications of advanced technology and the internet on protecting individuals
3from harm, abuse and exploitation.
4 (b) The commission shall consist of: the attorney general or a designee, who shall serve
5as chair; the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees; the chairs of the
6joint committee on advanced information technology, the internet and cybersecurity or their
7designees; the minority leader of the senate or a designee; the minority leader of the house of
8representatives or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security
9or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of technology services and security or a
10designee; the chief justice of the trial court or a designee; the chief counsel of the committee for
11public counsel services or a designee; the executive director of the American Civil Liberties
12Union of Massachusetts, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of Jane Doe, Inc.: The
13Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence or a designee; the 2 of 3
14executive director of MASOC, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts
15Chiefs of Police Association Inc. or a designee; and a member of the Massachusetts District
16Attorneys’ Association.
17 (c) The commission shall examine and investigate the potential impacts and legal
18implications of advanced technology and the internet on protecting individuals from harm, abuse
19and exploitation, including, but not limited to issues regarding: (i) the false impersonation of an
20individual by the use of an individual’s name, likeness, photographs, and pretending to be the
21individual or by occupying their position, whether through in-person interactions or by internet
22or electronic based communications, without the express authorization of that person, and using
23such assumed character with intent to obtain a benefit, to injure or defraud another or to harass or
24embarrass the person being impersonated; (ii) the creation or distribution of a video of a person
25in which their face or body has been digitally altered such that they appear to be someone else
26with the intention of spreading malicious or false information; (iii) the exchange of written
27sexually obscene private conversations, content or screenshots between or among adults in which
28the corresponding individuals are identifiable; and (iv) the existence, status, or necessity of a
29reasonable expectation of privacy with regards to text messages sent to another person’s cell
30phone.
31 (d) Not later than December 31, 2026, the commission shall file an interim report with
32the joint committee on judiciary, the joint committee on advanced information technology, the
33internet and cybersecurity, and the senate and house committees on ways and means. Not later
34than July 31, 2027, the commission shall file a final report of its findings and recommendations,
35together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect, by filing
36the same with the joint committee on judiciary, the joint committee on advanced information 3 of 3
37technology, the internet and cybersecurity, and the senate and house committees on ways and
38means.”.