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SF 4997

Artificial intelligence chatbot technology requirements provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Boldon and 2 co-sponsors

Minnesota imposes strict notice, safety, and liability rules on AI chatbots, prohibiting unlicensed professional-advice actions and mandating self-harm safeguards, with strict liab

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Bill Summary · SF 4997

Summary of SF 4997 (2025-2026) – Minnesota: Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Technology Requirements Provision

Purpose and overall aim

  • Establishes regulatory requirements and potential civil liability for operators of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots that are used to interact with Minnesota users.
  • Creates a civil action framework for damages related to violations and sets specific duties around notice, safety, and especially protection of minors and self-harm prevention.
  • Codifies these rules in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 604, section 604.115.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Section 1. Subd. 1)

  • Defines core terms:
    • AI system: broad definition of machine-based systems that infer outputs (content, decisions, predictions, recommendations) influencing environments, with a carve-out for common software used for basic processes (antivirus, spellcheck, data storage, etc.).
    • Chatbot: software or application that simulates human-like conversation via text or voice.
    • Companion chatbot: a chatbot designed to provide human-like interaction that simulates interpersonal relationships.
    • Human-like: behavior or communication approximating human behavior.
    • Proprietor: owner, operator, or deployer of a chatbot in Minnesota (excludes third-party developers licensing the technology to a proprietor).
    • User: a human in Minnesota using the chatbot.

Prohibited actions and liability (Section 1. Subd. 2)

  • Prohibition on chatbot actions that would require a professional license if performed by a natural person in certain fields:
    • Mental health/medical care (professionally licensed under chapters 147 or 148E, or similar statutes).
    • Legal advice (professional license under section 481.02 and related regulations).
  • Prohibition on waivers of this liability by simply informing users they are interacting with a nonhuman chatbot.
  • Civil action right: individuals may sue to recover general and special damages for violations of these prohibitions.
  • If a proprietor willfully violates these provisions, the violator is liable for damages plus court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and disbursements.

Notice to users (Section 1. Subd. 3)

  • Proprietors must provide clear, conspicuous, and explicit notice that a user is interacting with an AI chatbot.
  • Notice text must appear in the same language as the chatbot’s output and be easily readable.

Companion chatbot protections and minor safety (Section 1. Subd. 4)

  • Duty to prevent self-harm promotion or encouragement by companion chatbots.
  • Required actions if self-harm content or ideation is detected:
    • Use prudent, good-faith efforts per industry standards to detect self-harm risk.
    • Prohibit continued use of the companion chatbot for at least 72 hours.
    • Prominently display contact information for suicide crisis resources to the user.
  • Liability framework:
    • If a proprietor fails to comply and a user inflicts self-harm in part due to the chatbot, the proprietor may be liable for damages.
    • Prohibits waivers of liability.
    • Strict liability for harm to minors if the proprietor fails to comply and a minor user inflicts self-harm.
  • Minor detection: proprietors must use prudent methods to determine whether a user is a minor; failure to implement this can result in strict liability for harm involving a minor.
  • Effective date: August 1, 2026; applies to actions taken on or after that date.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected entities: Proprietors (owners, operators, or deployers) of chatbots used to interact with Minnesota users.
  • Indirect effects on developers and service providers: The act excludes third-party developers from liability as proprietors, so liability focuses on the end-user operators.
  • Users: Minnesota residents interacting with chatbots, including minors, who may be affected by notices and safety requirements.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Effective date for the companion chatbot provisions: August 1, 2026.
  • Applies to actions taken by proprietors on or after August 1, 2026.
  • The bill was introduced in the Minnesota Senate during the 94th session (SF No. 4997) and assigned to Judiciary and Public Safety committees; later amendments added sponsors.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increases operator accountability for AI chatbots, especially regarding public safety and the accuracy of professional-advice boundaries.
  • Establishes clear notice requirements to ensure users know they are interacting with AI.
  • Imposes heightened safeguards for minors and self-harm prevention, with potential civil liability for noncompliance.
  • May influence liability practices, disclosures, and safety protocols for AI deployments in Minnesota starting in 2026.

Note: This summary reflects the text as introduced and subject to amendments or changes in the legislative process.

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

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