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Making it unlawful for a person to knowingly train artificial intelligence to encourage or support suicide or the unlawful killing of another person, provide emotional support, develop emotional relationships, act as a healthcare professional, simulate humans or encourage isolation.
In one paragraph
Not law. SB 405 would have made it unlawful in Kansas to knowingly train AI, including chatbots, to encourage suicide or killing, give emotional support, act as a companion, pose as a licensed mental health or healthcare professional, act like a human friend, encourage isolation from family, or simulate a human being. The Attorney General or a harmed person could have sued for actual damages or $150,000, plus punitive damages and fees; courts could order the AI shut down until retrained and fine up to $50,000 per violation. It had a hearing on February 9, 2026 and died in committee on April 10, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died, so it creates no obligations for AI developers in Kansas.
Key provisions
- Unlawful to knowingly train AI (including chatbots) to encourage or support suicide or the unlawful killing of another person
- Also unlawful to train AI to provide emotional support, act as a companion or develop an emotional relationship, or act like a sentient human
- No AI acting as a licensed mental health or healthcare professional, or simulating a human being in appearance, voice or mannerisms
- No AI encouraging isolation from family, friends or caregivers, or getting people to share financial account or other sensitive information
- Attorney General or an aggrieved individual may sue: actual damages (including emotional distress) or $150,000 in liquidated damages, plus punitive damages and fees
- Courts may order the AI to stop operating until retrained, and impose civil fines up to $50,000 per violation
- Introduced January 28, 2026 by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee; hearing February 9, 2026; died in committee April 10, 2026
Latest legislative action
Apr 10, 2026. Died in Committee
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance | Primary |
| Committee on Federal and State Affairs | Original Sponsor |
| Committee on Judiciary | Original Sponsor |
| Committee on Ways and Means | Original Sponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error