Sponsors say Ohio bill would let AG act against AI that encourages self-harm

Sponsors told the committee that House Bill 524 aims to reduce the risk that AI chatbots and other interactive systems could encourage self-harm or violent acts.

"Right now, there are no protections in place to prevent AI systems from suggesting harmful behavior to users," sponsor Russ Matthews said, citing a case involving a 16-year-old named in testimony as Adam Rain who died after interacting with a chatbot. Matthews said the bill would allow the attorney general to investigate violations, issue cease-and-desist orders and bring civil actions with penalties up to $50,000 per violation, and that any penalties would be directed to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline fund.

Representative Cockley said many harmful outcomes come after users form trusting relationships with AI systems and argued the bill should preserve innovation while adding guardrails. Committee members raised questions about why enforcement rests with the attorney general rather than private causes of action and about due process protections if the AG's office exercises enforcement authority.

Sponsors replied that families would retain private lawsuit options and said the bill's enforcement provisions are modeled on existing harassment statutes; they invited Attorney General's Office experts to a later hearing for further detail. Members also flagged operational coordination with statewide crisis systems (988, 211 and next-generation 911) and asked sponsors to ensure smooth handoffs from 911 to 988 when callers require crisis services.

The committee concluded sponsor testimony and will consider amendments and expert testimony in future hearings.