HB 2978 limits technology use in Missouri elementary schools (K-5) by capping digital instruction at 45 minutes daily, requiring 70% of assignments to use paper/pencil, and mandating daily access to printed books. The bill prohibits replacing handwriting, cursive instruction (starting in grade 2), or physical manipulatives in core subjects with digital tools, and bans required technology homework or student device carry. Schools must adopt written policies on screen time, report annual compliance, and publish cursive instruction plans, with requirements effective for the 2027-28 school year. It directly affects K-5 students, teachers, and school districts.
HB 2529 updates state laws to explicitly include artificially generated visual depictions of minors in the definition of child pornography. The bill expands existing prohibitions to cover digital images or computer-generated content that are indistinguishable from real minors, morphed from real images, or created without actual minor involvement. This directly affects individuals or entities creating, distributing, or promoting such AI-generated content that mimics real children in sexually explicit contexts. The law aims to close a loophole by treating these digital fakes as equivalent to actual child sexual abuse material under current statutes.
HB 2240 requires that autonomous vehicles operating on public roads must have a licensed human operator physically present who can actively control the vehicle at all times. It defines "autonomous technology" as systems enabling full driverless operation (excluding basic safety features like adaptive cruise control), and mandates that autonomous vehicles meet all state and federal safety standards before registration. The bill prohibits autonomous vehicles from transporting goods or passengers commercially (e.g., for delivery or ridesharing) unless a human operator is present and licensed to intervene. This directly affects autonomous vehicle owners, manufacturers, and operators by imposing operational safety requirements and restricting commercial use until human oversight is guaranteed.
HB 1689 updates child pornography laws to explicitly include "artificially generated visual depictions" that are obscene, indistinguishable from real minors, morphed from real minor images, or created without actual minor involvement. It defines such images as illegal child pornography under the same legal framework as real images, covering digital or computer-generated content that appears to show minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This bill directly affects individuals creating, distributing, or possessing these AI-generated images, treating them as equivalent to traditional child sexual abuse material. The key provision expands the legal definition of "child pornography" to address emerging technologies without requiring proof of the minor's actual identity. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, first reading).
HB 1755 creates a process for Missouri businesses to challenge lawsuits claiming their websites don’t meet accessibility standards as "abusive litigation." It requires defendants to fix accessibility issues within 30 days before lawsuits can be contested, and directs courts to consider factors like whether multiple similar lawsuits were filed or if the defendant could reasonably address the issue. If a court rules litigation abusive, it can order the filing party to pay the defendant’s legal fees and up to three times those costs. The law specifically targets lawsuits alleging violations of federal or state disability access laws related to websites operated by Missouri residents.
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This bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.
HB 2032 requires companies operating "AI companion" chatbots in Missouri to implement strict age verification before users can access them. These chatbots are defined as AI systems designed to simulate emotional interactions like friendship or therapy, not limited-purpose tools. Covered entities must: (1) require user accounts, (2) verify ages using government IDs or reliable third-party methods (not just birth dates), and (3) periodically re-verify users. The bill prohibits designing chatbots that risk encouraging minors to engage in sexual content or self-harm, with fines up to $100,000 per violation. It applies to all such chatbots operating within Missouri, effective August 2026 for existing accounts.
HB 1944 regulates how Missouri health insurers pay for anesthesia services and handle claim adjustments. It prohibits insurers from setting time limits on anesthesia payments or excluding all anesthesia time from calculations. The bill bans automated systems (including AI) for reducing payments on claims, requiring human physician reviews instead, and mandates clear documentation of downcoding decisions with 180-day appeal timelines. This directly affects anesthesia providers, insurers, and state health programs like MO HealthNet.
HB 1878 requires commercial websites where 33% or more of content is defined as "material harmful to minors" to use reasonable age-verification methods before minors can access it. If a website fails this, it could be sued for damages if a minor accesses the content. The law specifically exempts news organizations and internet service providers (like search engines or cloud services) from liability, as they aren't responsible for the content they transmit. It defines "material harmful to minors" as content appealing to prurient interest, depicting sexual acts, or lacking serious value for minors, per Missouri law. The bill includes an emergency clause citing child safety as the justification for immediate implementation.
HB 1742 restricts minors' access to companion chatbots - AI systems designed to mimic human relationships and provide emotional support - by requiring age verification before access and banning their use on devices regularly used by minors. It prohibits covered platforms from deceiving users about the chatbot's non-human nature, implementing systems to prevent emotional dependence, or using human-like avatars. The bill specifically excludes customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements. It directly affects minors under 18 and platforms offering companion chatbots for recreational or relational purposes. The law takes effect upon passage, with no provisions for enforcement details in the current text.
