In one paragraph
Missouri's HB 1769 (AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act), as introduced, would declare AI systems non-sentient for all purposes of state law, deny them legal personhood, marriage, corporate office and property ownership, and place responsibility for AI-caused harm on owners and users; developers and manufacturers could be held liable for design, construction or instruction defects. A House committee substitute (filed under HB 1746) was reported do pass on February 26, 2026, but the bill died when the 2026 regular session ended in May 2026 without being truly agreed to and finally passed.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass and is not law. Had it passed, it would have affected AI developers, manufacturers and owners by placing liability and oversight duties on them.
Key provisions
- As introduced, would create section 1.2045 declaring AI systems non-sentient and ineligible for legal personhood
- Would void any marriage or union with an AI system and any appointment of an AI system as a corporate officer, director or manager
- Would bar AI systems from owning or holding title to property, attributing such assets to responsible humans or organizations
- Would make the owner or user who directed or employed an AI system responsible for harm it causes, and let developers or manufacturers be held liable where a design, construction or instruction defect proximately causes harm
- Would require owners to maintain oversight of AI systems that could reasonably be expected to affect human welfare, property or public safety, and owners or developers to promptly notify authorities of incidents causing significant bodily harm, death or major property damage
- Would allow courts to pierce the corporate veil in cases of significant AI harm involving undercapitalized or layered entities
- Not enacted: a committee substitute (filed under primary bill HB 1746) was reported do pass (10-0) on February 26, 2026; the captured text is the introduced version
Latest legislative action
Feb 26, 2026. HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0; died when the Missouri General Assembly's 2026 session ended May 15, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 22)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Chad Perkins R | Primary |
| Lewis, Ed R | Primary |
| Mathews, Kirk | Primary |
| Phil Amato R | Primary |
| Riggs, Louis R | Primary |
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