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Committee approves protections for chatbots interacting with minors
Summary
House Bill 952, aimed at protecting children from harmful chatbot interactions, was moved favorable as amended; the committee adopted elements from a broader bill and technical changes that won support from the Maryland Psychiatric Association.
The Economic Matters Committee moved House Bill 952 favorable as amended. The bill adds protections for chatbots targeted at children (under 18), including warning requirements and enforcement by the Attorney General's office.
The presenter said the amendments incorporated portions of a broader delegate bill (referenced in the transcript as a delegate Cheese bill) and that the Maryland Psychiatric Association, which initially came in unfavorable, supported the bill after technical amendments clarified definitions and warning frequencies. The presenter described the intent as preventing chatbots that mimic humans from communicating with children in ways that could prompt self-harm.
There was no recorded substantive opposition in the committee transcript; the chair called the roll and the committee recorded passage (the chair announced House Bill 952 "passes 18"). The transcript does not contain bill text or fiscal analyses.
