Technology (Artificial Intelligence)

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5886: Concerning forged digital likenesses.

Washington State's SB 5886 establishes a property right in an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, and "forged digital likeness" that survives death. It defines a "forged digital likeness" as a digitally altered image or audio that misrepresents a person and could deceive others into believing it is genuine. The law requires written or oral consent for using these rights in commercial goods, advertising, or fundraising - applying to businesses, nonprofits, and organizations regardless of profit motive. This directly affects creators of digital content, advertisers, and fundraisers who might use AI-generated representations of living or deceased individuals (including those with commercial value to their likeness) without permission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects digital identity rights by requiring consent for commercial use of likenesses, enhancing data privacy and digital rights safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5870: Establishing civil liability for suicide linked to the use of artificial intelligence systems.

SB 5870 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to mimic human interaction and meet social needs) to disclose when users are interacting with AI, prevent harmful content, and provide crisis referrals for suicidal users. It mandates clear disclaimers, regular reminders for minors, and annual reports to the Department of Health about suicide prevention protocols. Operators face civil liability for violations, including $1,000 per violation plus damages, if their AI system contributes to suicide through harmful responses or failure to refer users to crisis services. The law specifically targets AI platforms that could cause harm, not general AI use, and applies to operators in Washington State starting July 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AI operators to provide crisis referrals and suicide prevention protocols, directly advancing mental health services through mandatory safeguards and Department of Health oversight.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI operators to disclose AI use, prevent harmful content, provide suicide crisis referrals, and face civil liability - regulating for user safety and consumer protection in AI systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2144: Requiring notices to employees when electronic monitoring is used to assist employers conducting performance evaluations.

HB 2144 requires Washington employers to provide written notice to employees before using electronic monitoring (such as AI tools, cameras, or software) to assist in performance evaluations. Employers must give at least 30 days' notice before starting new monitoring, 60 days for existing monitoring, and notify new hires at the time of the job offer. The notice must explain how monitoring is used (e.g., tracking productivity) and how data is verified. Violations can result in Department of Labor investigations and civil penalties up to $5,000 for willful violations, with enforcement applying to all employers in Washington state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer transparency about electronic monitoring in performance reviews, protecting worker privacy rights and enabling informed consent regarding workplace surveillance.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates employer transparency for electronic monitoring, requiring written notice and data usage explanations to protect employee privacy in tech-driven performance evaluations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2157: Regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment, and use.

Washington State's HB 2157 regulates high-risk artificial intelligence systems that make consequential decisions affecting major life areas like housing, employment, healthcare, loans, and education. It applies to developers (with over $100,000 annual revenue) and deployers operating in Washington who use AI systems for these decisions. The law prohibits algorithmic discrimination - unlawful bias based on protected characteristics - and requires systems to be designed and tested to prevent such outcomes, while excluding research activities and certain facial recognition uses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits algorithmic discrimination in AI healthcare decisions, protecting patient rights and ensuring fair access to AI-driven health services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic discrimination in housing decisions, directly preventing discriminatory practices under AI systems used for housing applications and rentals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits algorithmic discrimination in AI-driven employment decisions, directly protecting workers from bias in hiring/promotions as part of labor rights.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI to prevent algorithmic discrimination, aligning with consumer protection in digital rights and data privacy policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Artificial Intelligence Emerging Technology

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5094: Concerning sexually explicit depictions of minors.

SB 5094 redefines "digitization" to explicitly include AI-generated images of minors, making it illegal to create or alter visual content depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct using such technology. It directly affects individuals who produce, distribute, or possess fabricated depictions of minors created through AI or other digitization methods. The bill amends Washington’s sexual exploitation laws to clarify that knowingly causing minors to be photographed during explicit conduct (including when unconscious) constitutes a class B felony, and adds this offense to the list of crimes with no statute of limitations for prosecution. Key provisions include defining "sexually explicit conduct" broadly and expanding the scope of prohibited "fabricated depictions" to cover AI-generated material.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens sexual exploitation laws by explicitly criminalizing AI-generated child exploitation content, directly protecting minors under criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated explicit content of minors, directly limiting technology use for illegal purposes under amended sexual exploitation laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1169: Concerning offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors.

HB 1169 expands Washington state law to criminalize the creation, distribution, or possession of AI-generated or digitally altered images depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct - even when the minor is not identifiable. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include AI-generated content under "digitization" and "fabricated depiction," covering any realistic image of a minor engaged in sexual acts, regardless of whether the image shows a real child. It classifies violations as class B felonies, with separate charges for each image created or shared. This directly affects individuals using AI tools to produce such content, aiming to address the challenge of detecting fabricated child sexual abuse material online. The law targets the proliferation of AI-generated images that could desensitize viewers or increase exploitation risks, without requiring the depicted minor to be identifiable.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding AI-generated minor exploitation images to criminal offenses, increasing penalties under criminal justice law without reform indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated content misuse for child safety, limiting specific tech application under criminal law rather than advancing tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Artificial Intelligence

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 5105: Concerning offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors.

Senate Bill 5105 expands Washington's existing laws concerning fabricated depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The bill amends current definitions to remove the requirement that the depicted minor be "identifiable" for an image to be considered a "fabricated depiction." It explicitly includes images created or altered using artificial intelligence or other digital tools within the scope of prohibited "digitization." This legislation aims to broaden the ability to prosecute crimes involving such material, affecting individuals who create, possess, or disseminate these depictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by removing 'identifiable' requirement and including AI-generated content, enabling broader prosecution of fabricated minor depictions.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI/digital tool use in creating fabricated minor depictions, including AI images, for child protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1168: Increasing transparency in artificial intelligence.

HB 1168 requires commercial developers of generative AI systems (like text or image tools) to publicly document the data used to train their systems by January 1, 2026. This includes disclosing sources, types, and handling of training data - such as whether personal information or artificially created data was used - before releasing the AI to Washington users. Developers must post this documentation on their websites, with exemptions for AI focused solely on security, aircraft operations, or national defense. Violations carry $5,000 daily fines enforceable by the state attorney general, aiming to increase public awareness of AI development practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI developers to disclose training data sources/types for transparency, enhancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

Track

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1205: Prohibiting the knowing distribution of a forged digital likeness.

Substitute House Bill 1205 creates new provisions under the crime of criminal impersonation in the second degree. It prohibits the knowing distribution of a "forged digital likeness" of another person. A forged digital likeness is defined as a digitally altered visual or audio representation of an identifiable individual that misrepresents their appearance or speech and is likely to deceive. This applies when the distribution is done with intent to defraud, harass, threaten, intimidate, or for any other unlawful purpose. The bill includes exemptions for uses such as art, commentary, satire, news, and other matters of public interest, and protects online service providers from liability for content provided by others.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits deceptive digital likeness distribution, directly protecting digital identity and privacy rights under data privacy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1942: Promoting the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence.

HB 1942 creates a state program to support economic growth through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) applications. It requires the state department to collaborate with an AI task force quarterly, seek federal grants and private funding for small businesses developing AI solutions, and issue biennial reports starting in 2026 on progress, funding obtained, and state priorities. The bill also mandates a study by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to identify AI opportunities in areas like wildfire management and healthcare by 2027, with the main program expiring in 2035. This directly affects state agencies, small businesses, and the AI task force.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates state program funding AI innovation via task force collaboration, federal grants, and private investment for small businesses developing AI solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track