In one paragraph
Ohio's HB 469 would enact chapter 1357 declaring AI systems nonsentient for all purposes under state law and barring them from legal personhood, marriage, serving as corporate officers or directors, and owning property. Harm caused by an AI system would be the responsibility of the owner or user, and developers or manufacturers could be liable for design or instruction defects that proximately cause harm. Owners would have to maintain oversight, and owners or developers would have to report serious incidents. Introduced September 23, 2025; referred to committee October 1, 2025.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None unless enacted: the bill is in committee. If enacted, owners, developers and manufacturers of AI systems in Ohio would carry liability for harm, oversight duties and an incident-notification duty.
Key provisions
- Would declare AI systems nonsentient and bar them from legal personhood or any claim to consciousness or self-awareness (1357.02)
- Would void marriage or union with an AI system and the appointment of an AI system as an officer, director or manager (1357.03, 1357.04)
- Would bar AI systems from owning property, with assets attributed to the person responsible for the AI system (1357.05)
- Would make owners or users responsible for harm from an AI system's operation, output or recommendation, and let developers or manufacturers be liable for defects that proximately cause harm (1357.06)
- Would require owners to maintain oversight and control measures where outputs could affect human welfare, property or public safety (1357.07)
- Would require owners or developers to promptly notify authorities of incidents causing significant bodily harm, death or major property damage (1357.12)
- Status: referred to House Technology and Innovation Committee on October 1, 2025; pending
Latest legislative action
Oct 1, 2025. Referred to committee (House Technology and Innovation)
Sponsors (showing 5 of 44)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Diane Grendell | Primary |
| Don Jones | Primary |
| Kirk Schuring | Primary |
| Monica Robb Blasdel R | Primary |
| Susan Manchester R | Primary |
Roll call votes
Passage Dec 4, 2024
66 yea20 nayPassed
Reported - Substitute Dec 4, 2024
10 yea1 nayPassed
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