Bill > SB431

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law by adding definitions for "artificial intelligence" (AI) and "generative artificial intelligence" and establishing new rules for handling electronic records requests. The bill defines AI as a machine-based system capable of making predictions, content recommendations, or decisions by perceiving environments, analyzing those perceptions, and using model inference to generate options. Generative AI is specifically described as models that can create synthetic content like images, videos, audio, or text using algorithmic processes. The bill introduces a provision allowing agencies to deny electronic records requests under specific circumstances, such as when the agency's open-records officer believes that downloading attachments could pose a cybersecurity risk or suspects the request was automatically generated by a computer program, AI, or generative AI. However, this denial rule does not apply to requests from journalists, media organizations, or nonprofit organizations conducting educational research. Requesters who are denied under these new provisions can appeal through existing legal channels. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing time for agencies to understand and implement the new requirements.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=431