Rep. Mader presents bill to require AI systems to disclose to minors; passes 7-0

Representative Mader presented Senate Bill 1521 at the Government Modernization and Technology meeting, describing it as “a child protection bill focused on conversational AI systems” that would require systems to disclose to minors that they are interacting with an AI and to include safeguards against self-harm and certain types of conversations with children.

Mader, identified in the meeting as Representative Mader, said the measure differs from a House bill passed earlier this session. “The final version of House Bill 3544… was dealing only with social AI companions, which is a very narrow scope of AI,” Mader said, adding that House Bill 3544 “basically says that minors are not allowed on those systems at all.” By contrast, Mader said, SB 1521 would cover broader general-purpose AI systems and would not ban minors from those systems. “This does not prohibit them from being on those systems,” he said. “It does say that those systems have to put in reasonable safeguards… to make sure they’re not encouraging self harm.”

Representative Alonzo Sandoval asked how SB 1521 would interact with the previously passed House bill. Sandoval asked for clarification “about how this is gonna interact with the bill that you… passed out of the house.” Mader responded that the bills target different technology classes — social AI companions versus general-purpose chat systems — and that SB 1521 focuses on disclosure and built-in prevention features rather than an outright ban.

After Mader moved adoption of the bill and no debate was offered, staff opened a vote. The chair recorded the tally as seven ayes and zero nays and declared the bill passed.

The meeting record shows no amendments or next-step assignments; the chair closed the meeting after the vote and adjourned.