Nebraska committee hears bipartisan support for conversational AI safety bill focused on minors
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Summary
Sen. Eliot Bostar told the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee LB 11-85 would require persistent disclosures, ban manipulative engagement techniques for minors and bar AI from posing as mental-health professionals. Technology groups and child-safety advocates testified in favor.
Sen. Eliot Bostar on Wednesday introduced LB 11-85, the conversational artificial intelligence safety act, telling the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee the bill aims to protect minors from misleading or harmful interactions with chatbots.
"The bill requires clear and conspicuous disclosure when a user is interacting with artificial intelligence," Bostar said in his opening remarks, adding that for minor account holders the disclosure must be persistent during longer interactions. He described three core elements: ongoing disclosure that an interlocutor is AI, safeguards against explicit sexualized content and manipulative engagement techniques, and a prohibition on representing chatbots as providers of professional mental or behavioral healthcare.
The hearing drew support from industry and child-safety experts. Tim Hruza, appearing on behalf of Google, said the company backs the bill’s goals and that Google has already adopted a safety-by-design approach for young users. "LB 11-85 is a thoughtful risk-based bill that addresses critical safety concerns while preserving the opportunity for youth to benefit from this transformative technology," Hruza said.
Clinical psychologist Mary Pipher and pediatricians also urged passage, describing cases and research they said demonstrate children’s vulnerability to one-sided relationships with chatbots and the harms that can follow. TechNebraska’s Emily Allen and the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Jennifer Krieger told the committee the bill strikes a workable balance between safety and innovation and provides predictability for local businesses. Supporters noted an amendment (AM 2027) circulated to clarify definitions and better tailor the bill’s scope.
Committee members asked technical and scope questions; no formal amendments were adopted during the hearing. The introducer closed by thanking stakeholders and making himself available for further questions. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing.