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Heated hearing on companion‑chatbot bill as survivors, clinicians and industry present competing views (HB 2225)
Summary
HB 2225 would require operators of AI companion chatbots to notify users, prohibit manipulative engagement techniques, protect minors from explicit/self‑harm content, and require crisis‑referral protocols. Testimony included moving survivor accounts and clinicians urging passage, and industry groups urging narrower scope and AGO enforcement only.
Committee staff described House Bill 2225 as a package of safeguards for AI systems that simulate humanlike relationships — companion chatbots that personalize interactions, ask unprompted questions and maintain ongoing dialogue. The bill requires operators to notify users at the start of each interaction that the chatbot is artificially generated, implement protections for known minors, prohibit manipulative engagement techniques designed to prolong emotional relationships, prevent generation of explicit content for minors, and provide referrals to crisis resources when appropriate. Enforcement is through the Consumer Protection Act,…
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