HB 952 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation

HB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation → Third - Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was advanced from first to third reading with amendments that expanded its scope and added new requirements. Key changes include adding data collection and usage limitations, establishing a complaint system, and redefining what constitutes a companion chatbot to include video game features and voice assistants. The bill also added product liability provisions and modified definitions for artificial intelligence and personal data.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include video game features, voice-activated virtual assistants, and business productivity bots as companion chatbots, while adding new data privacy and complaint handling requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for operators to limit data collection and usage, and establish a complaint system for users

Added product liability provisions treating chatbots as products for certain legal actions

DEFINITION

Modified definition of companion chatbot to include video game features, voice assistants, and business productivity bots

Added new definition for de-identified data

Modified artificial intelligence definition to include additional state statutes

Modified personal data definition to exclude de-identified data and publicly available information

TIMELINE

Added requirement for Office of Suicide Prevention to publish annual data from operators

ELIGIBILITY

Modified minor user protections to include additional content restrictions

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

124–4

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 142

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic103

93 Yea 1 Nay 9

90% Yea

R Republican39

31 Yea 3 Nay 5

79% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Mar 9, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (124-4-14)

house of delegates

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

20 primary · 0 co-sponsors