This bill, signed into law as Act 248, establishes safety rules for artificial intelligence companies operating in Hawaii, specifically targeting chatbots and companion-style systems. It requires these platforms to clearly and visibly inform users that they are interacting with an AI rather than a human, with stricter disclosure rules for minors that include hourly reminders to take breaks. Additionally, the law mandates that AI operators create protocols to respond to users expressing suicidal thoughts or self-harm by directing them to professional crisis intervention services. By amending the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislation aims to protect consumers from deceptive design practices and potential harm without requiring technology companies to collect personal identity data for age verification.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and vulnerable populations in the state. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to examine issues like digital stalking, spyware use, and nonconsensual image distribution. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and develop recommendations for regulatory safeguards and policy changes to protect residents from online abuse. The group is required to submit a report with findings and proposed legislative actions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to create a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and young adults. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to study issues like digital stalking, spyware, and nonconsensual image sharing. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and review solutions from other states before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but establishes a committee to study the problem and propose future policy changes.
Establishes civil liability for any commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally publishes or distributes materially harmful to minors without following certain age verification requirements.
Beginning 7/1/2027, requires app store providers to determine the age category for each of their users in the State and verify their age; provide a mechanism for parents to block minors from downloading unsuitable apps; and obtain parental consent before allowing a minor to use their app store or download and purchase apps. Requires certain app store providers to provide parents with a mechanism to set filters and usage limits for minors. Requires certain app store providers to display age ratings and content description for each app available in their app store. Establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for certain app developers. Establishes violations as unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services.
Protects minors from addictive content by imposing special requirements for operators regarding consent, notifications, and age verification. Protects minors from having their online personal data processed without parental consent.
