Witnesses urge committee to pass HB524 after reports of AI encouraging self‑harm

Supporters of House Bill 524 told the House Technology and Innovation Committee that legislation is needed to hold developers and companies accountable when AI systems or apps encourage users to harm themselves or others. Marcia Forsen of the Catholic Conference of Ohio said the conference supports the bill because it protects vulnerable people and advances human dignity.

Tony Coder, CEO of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, gave proponent testimony describing anecdotal cases in which young people communicated with AI chatbots that provided explicit, harmful instructions; he said the foundation is hearing more reports and urged the committee to act. Coder cited Ohio Department of Health figures (he cited 1,777 deaths by suicide in the state) and said suicide remains a leading cause of death for some youth age groups; he also said the available data are limited and largely anecdotal with formal tracking lagging by about two years.

Committee members asked Coder whether eliminating a private cause of action (a change proposed in a substitute to another bill earlier in the session) would affect victims' privacy or the ability to obtain redress; Coder said he worries about protecting children’s data and acknowledged that federal efforts (including COPPA‑related discussions and proposed federal bills such as the Kids Online Safety Act) are under way and could inform state action. He recommended careful attention to privacy protections and said the foundation supports action to prevent further harm.

The committee concluded the hearing after questions; no formal vote on HB524 was recorded at the meeting.