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Subcommittee advances AI bill that would criminalize AI‑assisted suicide and set restrictions on AI behavior
Summary
An amended HB1455 would make it a felony to use an AI system to advise, encourage or assist suicide, bar AI from impersonating licensed health professionals, and include corporate entities in the definition of 'person' for enforcement; members asked lawmakers to clarify how corporate criminal liability would be applied.
Sponsor explained the amended HB1455, which would create a felony offense for anyone who knowingly operates an AI system or chatbot that advises, encourages or otherwise supports a person to attempt or commit suicide; the bill also would bar AI from acting or presenting itself as a licensed mental‑health professional or soliciting sensitive financial information. "The proposed legislation... creates a class A felony offense for a person to knowingly operate an AI system or AI chat box to advise, encourage, or otherwise support the act of suicide," the sponsor said.
Leader Lambert raised concerns about how the bill treats corporate entities, noting that while individuals can be charged criminally, companies are typically subject to civil liability rather than criminal arrest. The sponsor said staff would work with members on wording to address those concerns. The committee adopted the amendment and the bill was advanced to the full judiciary committee (recorded as 8 ayes, 0 noes and 1 present not voting).
