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Senate committee adopts amendments to AI bill targeting protections for minors
Summary
The joint hearing advanced HB 17‑82 (HD3) after consumer‑protection and attorney‑general staff suggested text changes; technologists, youth groups and child‑safety advocates supported the bill while urging careful drafting to avoid unintended scope or enforcement gaps.
On March 25 a joint Senate hearing advanced House Bill 17‑82 (HD3), legislation aimed at improving protections for minors interacting with AI systems. Lawmakers said they would accept amendments proposed by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Protection and by the Attorney General's Office.
Raji Tolentino of the Office of Consumer Protection told the committee the bill’s data‑minimization provisions could create confusion and recommended removing them so the bill remains focused on interaction harms to minors rather than broader privacy rules: "Putting both these issues into one bill may create confusion for businesses, regulators, and enforcement agencies like our office."
Ashley Tanaka, a deputy attorney general, offered narrow technical suggestions including clarifying the phrase "material risk of harm" in several sections and adding a severability clause. Technology and advocacy witnesses urged retaining core protections: Jay Jasima of the Transparency Coalition highlighted transparency and suicide‑response protocols; youth representative Mike Tobin of the Young People’s Alliance urged lawmakers not to let amendments strip protections; Brenna Lesser of Common Sense Media cited research showing teens’ frequent use of AI companions and potential harms.
Retail and industry witnesses sought clarity that routine customer‑service AI not be swept into the bill’s prohibitions. Ian Corby of the Age Verification Providers Association described technical approaches to age verification that may be compatible with the bill’s goals.
In decision making the committee accepted and adopted amendments from several parties and set a defective date of Jan. 1, 2077; the committee passed the measure with the adopted amendments. Committee discussion noted concerns about narrowing definitions and preserving enforcement tools such as a private right of action mentioned by witnesses.
Next steps: the bill advances with committee‑adopted amendments; lawmakers and stakeholders indicated they will continue to refine definitions and enforcement language as the measure moves through the process.
