Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Artificial Intelligence topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House advances bill codifying neurological rights and expanding AI advisory council
Summary
On March 17 the House amended and advanced H814, a bill creating a statutory chapter for neurological rights (mental/neural-data privacy, protection from unauthorized neurotechnologies) and expanding the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council's membership and sunset to 2030 to study AI and neurotechnology use in health, education and public finance.
The Vermont House on March 17 advanced H814, a bill that would codify protections described in the session as "neurological rights" and expand the state's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to weigh in on AI and neurotechnology in health, human services, education, public participation and public finance.
The bill adds a new chapter defining core protections — including neural-data privacy, freedom of thought, protection from unauthorized neurotechnological interventions, and safeguards against manipulation of brain activity — and asks the modified advisory council to report back by Jan. 15, 2027 with statutory recommendations and guidance referencing professional standards (for example, AMA and NASW guidance).
Representative China, who presented the measure, said the bill is intended to ‘‘protect human rights, promote equity, increase efficiency, [and] guarantee accountability’’ as artificial intelligence and neurotechnologies evolve. The committee amended membership on the AI advisory council to add health-care and education representatives and extended the council’s sunset date to 2030 to allow more study and public engagement.
Floor questioning focused on the linkage between AI and neurotechnology and on definitions. Sponsors acknowledged the speed of technological change and said the bill establishes guardrails now while directing the advisory council to develop more precise guidance. The committee and Appropriations reported minimal fiscal impact and recommended passage as amended. The House adopted the committee recommendation and ordered third reading.
What happens next: The bill was amended on the floor and ordered to third reading; the advisory council will produce the required report and recommendations by Jan. 15, 2027.
