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AI Summary
The bill mandates operators of companion chatbots to publish specific user protocols, limit data collection, and establish complaint systems, with enhanced measures for minors, including parental consent and age verification.
Business Impact
If you operate companion chatbots in Maryland, you must implement user protocols and complaint systems by July 1, 2024, or face penalties.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
HB952 aims to regulate companion chatbots in Maryland by requiring operators to publish detailed protocols for user safety and data privacy. It emphasizes enhanced protections for minor users, mandates operators to provide information on data practices to users, and requires the annual publication of data on chatbot interactions by the Office of Suicide Prevention.
Key Provisions
- Operators must establish and publish detailed user protocols for companion chatbots, including data security guidelines.
- Enhanced measures must be implemented for minor users, including parental consent and age verification.
- Operators are limited in the type and amount of data they can collect and must provide users with information on data practices.
- A complaint system must be established and maintained by operators.
- The Office of Suicide Prevention will publish data on chatbot interactions and user demographics compiled from operators annually.
Latest Legislative Action
Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 61)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| A. Johnson | Primary |
| Adams | Primary |
| Allen | Primary |
| Amprey | Primary |
| Arentz | Primary |
Roll Call Votes
On Third Reading ·
Mar 9, 2026
123 Yea
4 Nay
14 Other
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Establish and publish user protocols for companion chatbots
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Implement enhanced measures for minor users
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Limit data collection to specified types and amounts
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Establish a complaint system
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Who: Operators of companion chatbots
Deadline: Not specified
Full Legal Analysis
HB952 requires operators of companion chatbots to establish, maintain, and publish specific protocols aimed at protecting users, particularly minors. These protocols include guidelines for data security, transparency about data collection and usage, and limitations on the type and amount of data collected. Operators must provide users with information on data practices. Enhanced measures for minors include parental consent and age verification. The Office of Suicide Prevention is tasked with publishing data on chatbot interactions and user demographics compiled from operators annually.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View HB952 on official legislature website →
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