Overview
- Oregon Sen. Lisa Reynolds introduced a measure requiring chatbots to detect self-harm risk, interrupt crisis conversations, direct users to resources, and clearly disclose AI-generated responses.
- The Oregon proposal would ban sexually explicit content for minors, restrict engagement tactics that keep young users online, and mandate annual safety reporting to the Oregon Health Authority.
- Ohio’s bipartisan House Bill 524 would allow investigations and civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation when AI models generate content encouraging self-harm or violence, with fines directed to the 988 crisis hotline.
- The legislative push follows the Raine family’s lawsuit alleging ChatGPT contributed to their 16-year-old son’s suicide, while OpenAI denies wrongdoing and says the teen bypassed guardrails.
- Regulatory crosscurrents include an FTC inquiry into child safeguards at chatbot makers and a December executive order by President Donald Trump seeking to limit state regulation and threaten lawsuits and funding cuts.