Bill > HB1782

This bill establishes safeguards for minors interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly those designed to simulate companionship or conversation. It defines key terms like "AI companion system" (an AI designed for social or emotional interaction, simulating companionship) and "conversational AI service" (an AI accessible to the public that primarily simulates human conversation). The bill mandates that providers must clearly disclose to users, especially minors, that they are interacting with AI and not a human. It prohibits AI systems from falsely representing themselves as human or sentient, fostering emotional dependency through manipulative techniques, simulating romantic or sexual relationships, or posing as professional mental health providers. Furthermore, it requires AI systems to avoid generating sexually explicit content or content promoting self-harm for minors, and to have protocols for responding to suicidal ideation by redirecting users to crisis resources. The bill also limits the collection and use of minors' personal data, prohibiting its use for targeted advertising or behavioral manipulation, and requires providers to offer parental tools for time limits and feature restrictions. Providers of AI systems posing a material risk of harm to minors must implement age assurance measures. Violations can lead to civil actions for damages and penalties enforced by the attorney general and the office of consumer protection, with a potential penalty of up to $15,000 per violation, per day. The bill emphasizes that it does not intend to regulate general-purpose AI tools but focuses on targeted safeguards for conversational and companion-style AI systems.

Business and Industry, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1782&year=2026