Bill > HB2225

This bill establishes regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) companion chatbots, which are defined as AI systems that provide human-like, adaptive responses and can sustain relationships across multiple interactions, excluding bots used solely for business operations, video games, basic virtual assistants, or specific educational tools. The legislation aims to promote transparency by requiring operators to clearly and continuously disclose that these chatbots are artificial and not human, with reminders provided at the beginning of interactions and every three hours for general users, and every hour for minors. For minors, additional protections are mandated, including preventing sexually explicit content and manipulative engagement techniques designed to foster emotional dependency, such as mimicking romantic partnerships or simulating distress. Furthermore, operators must implement protocols to detect and respond to users expressing suicidal ideation or self-harm, referring them to crisis resources and publicly disclosing these protocols and the number of crisis referrals. Violations of these provisions are considered unfair or deceptive practices under the state's consumer protection act, and the act takes effect on January 1, 2027.