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SD 2592

An Act establishing protections for consumers interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Massachusetts bill requires clear disclosure that users are chatting with a bot, and treats chatbot statements as legally binding like human agents, under 93A.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2592

Summary of Massachusetts Bill SD 2592: An Act establishing protections for consumers interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish specific protections for consumers who interact with chatbots deployed by commercial entities, clarifying disclosure, attribution, and legal accountability for chatbot communications.
  • Status: House concurred.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative path: Senate Docket No. 2592; filed January 17, 2025; referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (2025-02-27); later House concurrence noted.

Key Provisions

  • Chapter Created: Inserts new Chapter 93M, titled “Use of Chatbots by Commercial Entities,” into the General Laws (to be added after Chapter 93L).

  • Section 1 — Definitions

    • Defines “chatbot” as an automated program designed to simulate conversation with human users, communicating via audio, visual, or textual methods (including generative AI or similar technologies).

  • Section 2 — Clear Disclosure of Chatbots

    • Requires any commercial entity that deploys a chatbot to clearly and conspicuously disclose to the user that they are interacting with a chatbot, not a human.

  • Section 3 — Representations Made by Chatbots

    • Imposes that interactions and information provided by a chatbot have the same legal force and effect as if provided by a person employed by or acting as an agent of the entity.
    • States that using a disclaimer does not constitute a defense under this chapter, Chapter 93A, or other Massachusetts laws.

  • Section 4 — Enforcement

    • Violations are designated as:
    • Unfair method of competition, and
    • Unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce, under Chapter 93A, Section 2.

Who Is Affected

  • Covered Entities: Commercial entities deploying chatbots to interact with consumers within Massachusetts.
  • Individuals/Consumers: People engaging with chatbots in Massachusetts, who gain enhanced disclosures and clearer attribution of chatbot communications.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Initial Filing: 1/17/2025 (Senate Docket No. 2592).
  • Committee Action: Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on 2/27/2025.
  • House Action: House concurred on 2/27/2025.
  • Effective Framework: Creates new Chapter 93M to govern chatbot use; emphasizes ongoing applicability of 93A protections.

Practical Implications

  • Increases transparency requirements for businesses using chatbots (clear human vs. bot identification).
  • Elevates chatbot statements to be legally persuasive, on par with human agents, potentially increasing accountability for chatbot-provided information.
  • Deters deceptive practices by tying chatbot interactions to existing consumer-protection laws (Chapter 93A).
  • May impose compliance costs on businesses to ensure clear disclosures and consistent bot-originated representations.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page memo highlighting potential compliance steps for firms that deploy chatbots in Massachusetts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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