AI Legislation Highlights: Key Developments from February 2026

AI Legislative Update: February 13, 2026

As the state legislative season progresses, TCAI provides weekly updates every Friday on various AI-related bills making headway across the nation.

This past week saw the introduction of new worker protection bills concerning the use of AI monitoring in workplaces, particularly with two bills introduced in California. Additionally, significant chatbot safety bills advanced in Washington and Oregon. Notably, Kansas Governor Kelly signed HB 2183, addressing AI-generated deepfake images, while Arizona moved a kids chatbot safety bill out of its House committee on AI. Furthermore, Alabama established an AI and Children’s Internet Safety Study Commission.

With many states in short legislative sessions, bills are either advancing rapidly or stalling. For more details, refer to TCAI’s AI Legislation Tracker Map covering all 50 states.

Bills to Watch This Week

Washington: The AI chatbot safety bill, SB 5984, endorsed by Governor Bob Ferguson, was approved by the Senate with a vote of 38-11 and is now heading to the House Community Safety Committee for a hearing on February 19. A full guide to the bill is available.

SB 5886, an amendment to existing law recognizing “forged digital likeness” as a property right, was unanimously approved by the Senate and is now with the House.

Oregon: SB 1546, another AI chatbot safety bill, received a 4-0 approval from a Senate committee on February 12 and is expected to move to a floor vote next week.

Arizona: The pioneering House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee approved HB 2311, a kids chatbot safety bill, on February 13 with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

California: Two new worker protection bills regarding AI surveillance in the workplace were introduced: AB 1898 and AB 1883.

South Dakota: State Senator Liz Larson introduced SB 170, an AI chatbot disclosure bill, and SB 168, which aims to regulate chatbot usage by minors. SB 170 has a hearing scheduled for February 17, while SB 168 was effectively terminated in committee.

Alabama: On February 12, state legislators approved JR 51, establishing an AI and Children’s Internet Safety Study Commission. Additional AI-related bills include:

HB 324, requiring age verification systems for chatbots and therapy chatbot protocols.
HB 325, an AI chatbot disclosure bill addressing deceptive trade practices.
SB 129, requiring disclosure of AI-generated content.
HB 171 and HB 173, focusing on addictive algorithm feeds in social media.
SB 63, regulating AI in healthcare coverage determinations.

Arizona is leading with a dedicated House Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation. The following AI bills are currently under consideration:

HB 2311, the kids chatbot safety bill.
HB 2592, requiring state agencies to identify opportunities for AI implementation.
HB 2371, addressing AI-assisted arbitration in divorce proceedings.
HB 2133, expanding existing statutes on the unlawful disclosure of sensitive images to include synthetic depictions.

California introduced new bills this week:

SB 1000, modifying AI disclosure laws.
SB 1050, requiring AI usage disclosure in advertisements.
AB 1898, mandating written notice to employees regarding AI tools used in employment decisions.
AB 1883, a similar workplace surveillance bill.
SB 928, concerning employee protections against AI encroachment in California State University.
SB 1015, expanding laws regarding threats induced by AI-generated deepfake images.
SB 947, establishing worker protections related to AI and automated decision systems.

Further developments in leading AI bills include:

SB 300, enhancing regulations on chatbots to prevent the dissemination of sexually explicit content.
SB 719, amending existing laws on automated decision systems.
AB 1159, applying student privacy protections to digital operators.
SB 813, establishing a California AI Standards and Safety Commission.
SB 574, setting protections for attorneys regarding AI use.

Florida is also actively pursuing AI legislation:

SB 1344, concerning chatbot operator requirements for user accounts and age verification.
SB 1458, creating the AI in Higher Education Study Group.
SB 344 and HB 281, prohibiting AI use in mental health practices.
SB 202, requiring human professional oversight in insurer decisions.

Additionally, Georgia proposed HB 171, aimed at prohibiting the distribution of computer-generated CSAM, which was recommitted to the Senate.

Hawaii is considering several AI-related bills:

HB 1782, establishing safeguards for minor interactions with AI systems.
HB 1787, restricting AI use in health insurance decision-making.
HB 1384, creating the Hawaii AI Advisory Council.
SB 2585, requiring the Department of Health to maintain an AI-enhanced clearinghouse for treatment programs.
SB 2076, protecting individuals’ rights against AI deepfakes.

In Idaho, SB 1227 establishes provisions regarding the use of Gen AI in public education. Meanwhile, Illinois has over a dozen active AI bills, including:

HB 4705 and SB 3261, creating the AI Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act.
SB 3262, addressing companion AI protection.
SB 3263, focusing on AI provenance data.
HB 4711, regarding provenance data requirements.
HB 4799, promoting transparency in frontier AI.
SB 3180, creating meaningful human control over AI.

In Indiana, HB 1201 prohibits AI systems from impersonating licensed mental health professionals, while HB 1182 defines digital sexual image abuse.

Iowa introduced SSB 3013, declaring that AI system outputs belong to the individual who prompted them.

Kansas saw the approval of HB 2183, modifying child exploitation statutes regarding AI-generated images.

Kentucky has several bills in play, including:

HB 559, establishing consumer rights related to AI data.
HB 227, protecting minors from AI companion chatbots.
HB 33, prohibiting surveillance pricing utilizing AI.

In Maine, two AI bills have been introduced: LD 2162, regulating child access to AI chatbots, and LD 2082, concerning AI use in mental health services.

Maryland has introduced four bills, including:

HB 184 and SB 8, protecting against AI deepfakes.
HB 148, prohibiting surveillance-based pricing.
SB 141, addressing deepfakes in campaign materials.
HB 1315, requiring audits of AI used in healthcare.

Massachusetts is also engaged with several AI bills:

S 243 and S 264, requiring consumer notifications for AI interactions.
H 76, addressing AI-generated deceptive election communications.
S 301, establishing the Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act.
H 666, concerning personal electronic device policies in public schools.

Michigan is currently addressing two AI bills: HB 4667, concerning AI crime, and SB 760, focusing on kids chatbot safety.

Missouri has proposed HB 2031, the Children Harmed by AI Technology Act, which includes age verification and parental consent for AI chatbots.

In Nebraska, several AI bills are under consideration:

LB 939, requiring chatbot operators to ensure human-like features are not available to minors.
LB 1083, creating the Transparency in Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act.
LB 1185, establishing safety protocols for conversational AI.
LB 615, prohibiting deepfakes under the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act.
LB 172, concerning AI-generated CSAM.

New Hampshire is considering bills like HB 1406, prohibiting AI from altering clinical judgment, and SB 640, concerning AI services requiring professional licensing.

New Jersey has introduced S 1802, requiring an AI safety test for technology in the state, and SR 52, urging generative AI companies to commit to employee whistleblower protections.

New Mexico is reviewing HB 22, a deepfake bill expanding existing criminal statutes, and HB 28, the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Act.

New York is witnessing initiatives led by Governor Kathy Hochul, including A 6578 and S 6955, which mandate transparency in AI training data.

Ohio has several bills under consideration, including HB 665 on AI pricing and HB 524, regulating harmful AI suggestions.

Oklahoma is examining numerous AI-related bills, including SB 2085, establishing AI-related rights, and SB 2038, regulating AI in health insurance.

Oregon continues to advance several bills, notably SB 1546, an AI chatbot safety bill expected to move to a floor vote soon.

Pennsylvania is evaluating multiple AI bills including HB 2006, focused on companion chatbot safety, and HB 2100, regulating mental health chatbot use.

Rhode Island is considering S 2195, which mandates safety features for chatbots, and S 2197 regarding AI in mental health treatments.

South Carolina has proposed HB 4675, concerning surveillance data and AI systems, and HB 4591, aimed at addictive social media.

South Dakota introduced SB 170, requiring disclosure for certain AI interactions, with a hearing scheduled for February 17.

Tennessee is reviewing several AI-related bills, including HB 1898, establishing AI public safety measures, and HB 1946, the Curbing Harmful AI Technology Act.

As jurisdictions across the United States grapple with the implications of AI, legislative efforts are intensifying to ensure safety, transparency, and accountability in the development and deployment of AI technologies.