House approves bill requiring AI firms to publish child-safety plans and report incidents

The Tennessee House approved legislation aimed at protecting children from risks posed by certain artificial-intelligence services, sending the measure to the next stage after recorded passage on April 17.

Deputy Speaker Zachary, sponsor of House Bill 18-98, described it as a three-part approach: "It requires AI companies to publish, implement, and comply with their own plans for how they manage risk to children," he said on the floor. The bill requires covered companies to make safety guidelines public, report serious safety incidents involving covered chatbots to the attorney general within 15 days, and gives the AG discretion to pursue civil penalties.

Supporters said the measure seeks to avoid the mistakes made with social media protections by requiring transparency and reporting. The bill also includes carve-outs and definitions intended to avoid covering certain video games and motion-picture uses of chatbots, and it sets a process for coordination with federal standards should Congress act.

The clerk recorded the final vote in favor (Ayes 94 according to the clerk tally). Lawmakers also noted the bill relies on subsequent rulemaking by the attorney general and state agencies to define reporting procedures and enforcement thresholds.