HB 3024 - Catfishing Liability Act of 2016

• Creates a civil cause of action for online impersonation when someone knowingly uses another person's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness through social media to create a false identity for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding that person.

• Exempts impersonation when the sole purpose is satire or parody, and does not apply to law enforcement agencies investigating Internet crimes.

• Allows plaintiffs to request an automatic injunction at the time of filing to prevent continued use of their personal identifiers.

• Permits recovery of actual damages including counseling and identity theft costs, with mandatory minimum punitive damages of $500.00 per individual, plus attorney fees and costs for the prevailing party.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2016.