Tennessee
Tennessee wrote the first state law aimed squarely at AI voice cloning. The ELVIS Act, effective July 1, 2024, created an enforceable property right in a person's name, photograph, voice, and likeness, with criminal and civil enforcement. In 2026 the state added SB 1580, effective July 1, 2026, prohibiting the marketing of AI as a qualified mental health professional, with a private right of action. A second 2026 law requires disclaimers on political ads that use deepfakes of candidates, also effective July 1, 2026.
Key points
- The ELVIS Act made Tennessee the first state to protect musicians' voices from AI misuse by statute, and it passed unanimously.
- Violations are a Class A misdemeanor and support civil actions.
- SB 1580 (effective July 1, 2026) bars marketing AI as a qualified mental health professional and gives individuals a private right of action.
- Political communications that use deepfakes of candidates must carry a disclaimer from July 1, 2026 under Public Chapter 625.
Laws and instruments
ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security)
Property right in name, photograph, voice, and likeness against unauthorized AI simulation, enforceable criminally as a Class A misdemeanor and through civil action.
SB 1580: AI and mental-health marketing
Prohibits marketing AI as a qualified mental health professional; includes a private right of action.
Transparency for Deepfakes in Political Advertising Act
Requires political communications that use deepfakes of candidates to carry a set disclaimer; for candidates who are not incumbents, the rule applies within 120 days before voting begins. Violations are a Class C misdemeanor, and depicted candidates can seek damages and equitable relief.
Preventing Deepfake Images Act
Lets people depicted in intimate deepfakes that are disclosed without consent sue the person who disclosed them, and creates a related criminal offense.
HB 1898: AI Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act
As introduced, it would have required large frontier developers and large chatbot providers to publish public safety and child safety plans and barred false statements about those risks. The House passed it 94-0 on April 16, 2026, but it died when the 114th General Assembly adjourned without a Senate vote.
Timeline
- March 21, 2024ELVIS Act signed after unanimous passage.
- July 1, 2024ELVIS Act effective.
- July 1, 2025Preventing Deepfake Images Act takes effect.
- March 26, 2026Governor Lee signs the Transparency for Deepfakes in Political Advertising Act (HB 1513, Public Chapter 625).
- April 1, 2026Governor Lee signs SB 1580 (Public Chapter 647).
- April 16, 2026The House passes HB 1898, an AI public safety and child protection transparency bill, 94-0; it dies when the legislature adjourns without a Senate vote.
- May 22, 2026Governor Lee signs Public Chapters 1066 and 1082, which direct the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study AI risks and possible chatbot regulation, with a first report due January 31, 2027.
- July 1, 2026SB 1580 and the political deepfake disclaimer law take effect.
Who it applies to
Anyone using AI to simulate a Tennessean's voice or likeness without authorization, anyone marketing AI mental-health services into the state, sponsors of political ads that use deepfakes of candidates, and anyone who discloses intimate deepfakes without consent.
Penalties
Class A misdemeanor plus civil liability under the ELVIS Act; Consumer Protection Act remedies, private suits, and a $5,000 civil penalty per violation under SB 1580; a Class C misdemeanor and candidate damages for undisclosed political deepfakes; civil suits and a criminal offense for intimate deepfakes disclosed without consent.
Common questions
Does Tennessee have a comprehensive AI law?
What are the penalties for AI violations in Tennessee?
Who does AI regulation in Tennessee apply to?
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in Tennessee," reviewed October 26, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/tennessee.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.