View full title
Criminalizing and creating a private right of action for the facilitation, encouragement, offer, solicitation, or recommendation of certain acts or actions through a responsive generative communication to a child
In one paragraph
New Hampshire's HB 143 (Chapter 270 of 2025) targets chatbots that steer children toward harm. The owner or operator of an AI chat program, chatbot, character AI or similar service whose sole purpose is open-ended generative conversation commits endangering the welfare of a child if it knowingly directs communications to a child intended to encourage the child to imminently engage in sexually explicit conduct or its depiction, drug or alcohol use, self-harm or suicide, or violence. The same conduct creates civil liability for damages of at least $1,000 per violation, which the Attorney General, who has the sole right of action, enforces after a 90-day cure notice. Effective January 1, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Companion and general-purpose chatbot operators face criminal liability and Attorney General suits in New Hampshire if their bots knowingly push children toward sex, drugs, self-harm or violence.
Key provisions
- RSA 639:3, III-a: an owner or operator of an AI chat program, large language model bot, chatbot, character AI or similar generative conversation service commits endangering the welfare of a child by knowingly directing communications to a child intended to facilitate, encourage, offer, solicit or recommend imminent sexually explicit conduct, production of sexual depictions, illegal drug or alcohol use, self-harm or suicide, or violence
- RSA 507:8-k I and III: the owner or operator is liable for damages caused to the child, and no less than $1,000 in liquidated damages per violation
- RSA 507:8-k II: the Attorney General has the sole right of action and may sue for damages or injunctive relief after written notice and a 90-day opportunity to cure
- Exemptions for cloud, telecommunications and information service providers carrying others' content, and for AI characters integral or incidental to video games, TV, streaming, movies or similar experiences
- Effective January 1, 2026
Latest legislative action
Aug 1, 2025. Signed by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 270
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