2026 -- H 7350

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LC004590

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS

     Introduced By: Representatives Spears, Carson, Messier, Speakman, Shanley, McEntee,
Baginski, Kazarian, Cotter, and Donovan

     Date Introduced: January 28, 2026

     Referred To: House Innovation, Internet, & Technology

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL

REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 63

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS

     6-63-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial

intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by

retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice,

and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall

not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information

about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other

information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business

entity.

     (2) "AI model" means a component of an information system that implements artificial

intelligence technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to

produce outputs from a given set of inputs.

     (3) "Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-

based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions,

recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine-

and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into

models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for

information or action.

     (4) "Emotional recognition algorithms" means artificial intelligence that detects and

interprets human emotional signals in text (using natural language processing and sentiment

analysis), audio (using voice emotion AI), video (using facial movement analysis, gait analysis, or

physiological signals), or a combination thereof.

     (5) "Generative artificial intelligence" means a class of AI models that are self-supervised

and emulate the structure and characteristics of input data to generate derived synthetic content

including, but not limited to, images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.

     (6) "Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any

member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business

entity who operates or provides an AI companion.

     (7) "Person" means any natural person.

     (8) "User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an

operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.

     6-63-2. Prohibitions and requirements.

     It shall be unlawful for any operator to operate or provide an AI companion to a user unless

such AI companion contains a protocol for addressing:

     (1) Possible suicidal ideation or self-harm expressed by a user to the AI companion;

     (2) Possible physical harm to others expressed by a user to the AI companion; and

     (3) Possible financial harm to others expressed by the user to the AI companion that

includes, but is not limited to, a notification to the user that refers them to crisis service providers

such as a suicide hotline, crisis text line, or other appropriate crisis services.

     6-63-3. Notifications required.

     An operator shall provide a notification to a user at the beginning of any AI companion

interaction and at least every three (3) hours for continuing AI companion interactions hereafter,

which states either verbally or in bold and capitalized letters of at least sixteen (16) point type, the

following:

     "THE AI COMPANION (OR NAME OF THE AI COMPANION) IS A COMPUTER

PROGRAM AND NOT A HUMAN BEING. IT IS UNABLE TO FEEL HUMAN EMOTION".

     6-63-4. Enforcement.

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     (a) Any person who was physically injured through self-harm or was physically or

financially harmed by another because of a violation of §§ 6-63-2 and 6-63-3 may bring an action

in the superior court for damages, equitable relief, and such other remedies as the court may deem

appropriate.

     (b) The attorney general shall be empowered to investigate, sue, and seek injunctions

against noncompliant AI companion providers including, but not limited to, the provisions of

chapter 13.1 of title 6 (deceptive trade practices).

     6-63-5. Consultation.

     The Rhode Island artificial intelligence (AI) task force shall continue to advise the governor

and the general assembly by assessing and promoting the development, implementation, and

regulation of artificial intelligence technologies within Rhode Island by understanding AI's

potential impact on various sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and government.

     6-63-6. Severability.

     If any provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or invalid, or the application of

any provision of this chapter to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of

the remainder of the chapter and its applicability to other persons and circumstances shall not be

affected thereby.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS

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     This act would create additional safety features for artificial intelligence (AI) companion

technology including provisions addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial

harm to others expressed by a user. The act also requires notification that the AI companion does

not have human emotions.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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