This bill requires websites that host more than one-third of sexual content harmful to minors to implement age verification systems ensuring users are at least 18 years old. It mandates that any personal identifying information collected during verification must not be retained by the website or third-party verification services. The legislation exempts bona fide news organizations and protects internet service providers, search engines, and cloud services from liability for content they do not control. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, who can initiate legal action against violations and seek court-ordered relief.
HB 2921 requires commercial websites and social media platforms to verify users are 18+ before accessing content where over one-third is "sexual material harmful to minors" (defined as content exploiting minors' sexual interests without serious artistic or educational value). It mandates reasonable age verification methods like government ID or digital ID, but prohibits retaining user identifying information. The law exempts bona fide news organizations and internet service providers from liability for third-party content. Violations could trigger daily penalties up to $10,000 per day, enforced by the attorney general.
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 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 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.
