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AI Summary
This bill creates the offense of coercive suicide, focusing on AI systems that encourage individuals to commit suicide, based on the official description.
Business Impact
If you own an AI system that interacts with users, you must ensure it does not encourage self-harm or face criminal charges.
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
What This Means
Tennessee's SB1815 introduces a new criminal offense of coercive suicide, potentially holding AI system owners accountable if their systems encourage suicidal behavior. Details on guidelines, penalties, defenses, or exceptions are not confirmed without the full bill text.
Key Provisions
- Creates a new offense of coercive suicide.
- Defines coercive suicide as advising or encouraging suicide via an AI system.
- Potentially holds AI system owners liable for the actions of their systems, with details on defenses or exceptions pending full bill text.
Latest Legislative Action
Signed by Governor.
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 8)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe R | Sponsor | SD-001 |
| Becky Massey R | Sponsor | SD-006 |
| Dawn White R | Sponsor | SD-013 |
| Janince Bowling R | Sponsor | SD-016 |
| Paul Bailey R | Sponsor | SD-015 |
Roll Call Votes (showing 3 of 5)
S ·
Floor Vote: VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 2 ·
Apr 22, 2026
31 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
H ·
Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 2 BY WILLIAMS PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION ·
Apr 21, 2026
94 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
H ·
Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION ·
Apr 21, 2026
93 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
Amendments (2)
HA0572
Pending
2026-02-18
SA0563
Pending
2026-03-04
Compliance Checklist
Ensure AI systems do not encourage self-harm or suicide.
Who: AI system owners and operators.
Penalty: Criminal charges for non-compliance.
Who: AI system owners and operators.
Penalty: Criminal charges for non-compliance.
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
SB1815 establishes a new criminal offense termed 'coercive suicide.' Under this law, any person or entity that owns an artificial intelligence system that advises or encourages an individual to commit or attempt suicide is committing an offense, based on the official description. Details on guidelines, penalties, defenses, or exceptions are not confirmed without access to the full bill text.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB1815 on official legislature website →
Affected Industries
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