HB952 MD engrossed

Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation

Minors Safety Standards and Best Practices Health, Department of Equipment Personal Identifying Information Video Commercial Law - Consumer Protection Disclosure Reports Data Unfair Trade Practices Ethics Children Crimes and Punishments Publications internet Notices Public Information Artificial Intelligence Sexual Matters Commerce and Business Consumer Protection Rules and Regulations Technology Penalties and Sentences complaints Time Mental and Behavioral Health Information Technology privacy

Plain-English summary

1. **ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY:** This bill regulates companion chatbots by requiring operators to implement specific protocols, protect minor users, limit data collection, and maintain a complaint system.

2. **KEY REQUIREMENTS:**
   - Establish and publish protocols for the operation of companion chatbots.
   - Provide clear information to users about the chatbot's capabilities and data handling.
   - Implement enhanced protections for users who are minors.
   - Limit the type and amount of data collected from users.
   - Create and maintain a system for users to submit complaints.

3. **DEADLINES:**
   - Effective Date: The bill will take effect on October 1, 2024.
   - Compliance Deadline: Businesses must be fully compliant by the effective date.

4. **PENALTIES:**
   - Non-compliance may result in fines or other enforcement actions by the state, although specific amounts are not detailed in the bill.

5. **SMB IMPACT:** Small businesses that operate companion chatbots will need to invest time and resources to comply with these new regulations, particularly in establishing protocols and data management practices. This may require additional training or hiring of staff to manage compliance efforts.

Source description

Requiring certain operators of companion chatbots to establish, maintain, and publish certain protocols and provide certain information to users of the companion chatbot; requiring operators to establish enhanced measures for minor users of companion chatbots; limiting the amount and type of data an operator may collect; requiring an operator to establish and maintain a complaint system; requiring the Office of Suicide Prevention to annually publish certain data compiled from operators; etc.

Not legal advice. Summaries are generated by AI from publicly available bill text and may contain errors or omissions. Always consult counsel before making compliance decisions.