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S 1297 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – Adds to existing law to establish the Conversational AI Safety Act.

The Conversational AI Safety Act (S 1297) requires operators of public conversational AI services - like chatbots - to clearly disclose when users interact with artificial intelligence, especially for minors under 18. It mandates operators to provide crisis resources for users expressing suicidal thoughts, prevent AI from claiming to offer professional mental health care, and block harmful content such as sexually explicit material or simulated romantic interactions with minors. For minors, the law requires persistent disclosure at session start and every three hours, prohibits engagement rewards targeting youth, and mandates privacy tools for minors and their guardians. Violations could trigger civil penalties up to $500,000 per operator, enforced by Idaho’s Attorney General, with the law taking effect July 1, 2027.
Issues: ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI disclosure, blocks harmful content, and requires crisis resources for minors - regulating AI for user safety and protection under tech policy.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed Apr 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Engrossment 1 · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to narrow its scope by creating specific exemptions for video game chatbots and business tools used for internal purposes, while simultaneously expanding protections for minors by adding stricter rules against deceptive AI behavior and requiring privacy management tools for all users under 13.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was reduced by explicitly excluding certain categories of AI, such as video game characters and internal business tools, from the new regulations.
SCOPE

Added a specific exemption for video game chatbots that are limited to game-related topics and do not discuss mental health or self-harm.

Added an exemption for AI tools used by businesses solely for internal purposes, customer service, or technical analysis.

DEFINITION

Removed a definition limiting the law to AI designed for narrow, discrete topics, which previously created ambiguity about what systems were covered.

Changed the definition of 'Operator' from someone who 'develops' AI to someone who 'makes available' AI, broadening who is held responsible.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for operators to offer privacy and account management tools to all account holders under 13, and to parents or guardians of older minors.

Added new rules preventing AI from generating statements that simulate emotional dependence, romantic innuendos, or role-play adult-minor relationships.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

22–12
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 36
Mar 19, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1 Nay
83% Yea
R Republican30
17 Yea 11 Nay 2
56% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 54-12-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 21-12-2AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lakey, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Semmelroth, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – Adams, GallowayFloor Sponsor - ToewsTitle apvd - to House
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Introduced
Amendments reported printed
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out without recommendation, as amended
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Placed in the Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to 14th Order for amendment
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.