Action of nudifying an image of another person made a crime, and criminal penalties provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Davis and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a felony offense for nudifying an image or video of someone without consent if the result depicts a realistic intimate part not in the original material.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

#crimesandcriminals #crimesandcriminals-sexualoffenses #publicsafetydepartment

Purpose and intent

HF 5114 creates a new criminal offense called “nudification” of an image or video. The bill defines nudification as altering or generating an image or video of an identifiable person to depict an intimate part not present in the original material, in a way that is realistic enough that a reasonable person would believe the intimate part belongs to the identifiable individual. The crime targets scenarios where the subject did not consent to the nudification.

Key provisions and changes

New statute created: Minnesota Statutes, chapter 617, new § 617.265 (Nudification).

Definition of nudify (Subd. 1):

The process of altering or generating an image or video to depict an intimate part not in the original unaltered image/video.
The altered/generated content must be so realistic that a reasonable person would believe the intimate part belongs to the identifiable individual.

Criminal penalties (Subd. 2):

If a person intentionally nudifies an image or video of another person and knows or has reason to know that the subject did not consent, the offender commits a felony.
Potential penalties: up to 2 years imprisonment, or a fine of up to $4,000, or both.

Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Application window: The bill applies to crimes committed on or after the effective date.

Who or what is affected

Individuals: Anyone who intentionally nudifies an image or video of another person without consent, as defined by the statute.

Victims: Identifiable person depicted in the nudified content; protection extends to those who did not consent to the nudification.

Law enforcement and prosecutors: Responsible for enforcing the statute and pursuing felony charges when the criteria are met.

Judicial system: May handle sentencing under standard felony guidelines, with specified penalties.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced and referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy on May 5, 2026.

Effective date and retroactivity: The act is not retroactive; it applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.

Amendment status: The text indicates new legal language is added (codified as a new section); no indication of repeals or amendments to existing sections beyond creation of 617.265.

Practical implications

The bill addresses the growing concern over deepfake-like content and other manipulated imagery that could harm a person’s reputation, privacy, or emotional well-being.

By classifying nudification as a felony with specific penalties, Minnesota signals a strong stance against manipulating intimate parts of a person’s image without consent.

The two-year maximum and $4,000 fine provide a clear, but moderate, sentencing framework for prosecutors and judges.

Notes for readers

The bill defines “nudify” narrowly to cover alterations or generated content that depicts an intimate part not in the original image/video and that is realistic enough to be mistaken for belonging to the identifiable person.

Consent is a central element; lack of consent triggers potential felony liability.

The bill sets a concrete effective date and limits applicability to offenses occurring after that date.

Bill