SF 1857

2nd Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/08/2026 10:09 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to commerce; prohibiting persons from allowing minors to access chatbots
for conversational purposes; providing civil penalties; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325M.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [325M.40] MINOR ACCESS TO CHATBOTS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for explicit
or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can
influence physical or virtual environments.
new text end

new text begin (c) "AI companion" means artificial intelligence systems that are specifically designed,
marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals, whether
or not such systems also provide information, complete tasks, or assist with specific functions.
AI companions seek to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user by:
new text end

new text begin (1) expressing or inviting emotional attachment;
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new text begin (2) reminding, prompting, or nudging the user to return for emotional support or
companionship;
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new text begin (3) depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support;
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new text begin (4) behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed
to foster emotional attachment; or
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new text begin (5) enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or pay.
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new text begin AI companion does not include a consumer electronic device that incorporates a speaker
and voice command interface or text interface and acts as a voice- or text-activated virtual
assistant.
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new text begin (d) "Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact
with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text,
audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe
the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires. Chatbot does
not include a consumer electronic device that incorporates a speaker and voice command
interface or text interface and acts as a voice- or text-activated virtual assistant.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) A person must ensure that any chatbot operated or distributed
by the person does not make chatbots available to minors to use, interact with, purchase, or
converse with.
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new text begin (b) A person operating artificial intelligence systems that primarily function as AI
companions must ensure that any chatbots operated or distributed by the person are not
available to minors to use, interact with, purchase, or converse with.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Remedies; enforcement. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual injured by a violation of this section
may bring a civil action for damages, statutory damages not to exceed $1,000, injunctive
relief, and costs and reasonable attorney fees.
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new text begin (b) The attorney general may enforce this section under section 8.31. In an action brought
under this paragraph, the person who owns or controls a website, application, software, or
program and violates this section is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000,000.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 15, 2027.
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Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSITION PERIOD.
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new text begin A person who makes a chatbot available to minors must begin decreasing services in a
manner that does not harm minors who use chatbots before services end on January 15,
2027.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end