MD HB952

Operators of companion chatbots must establish protocols to prevent content about self-harm, suicidal ideation, or suicide from being presented to users who express such thoughts, and must refer those users to crisis services including the Maryland Behavioral Health Crisis Response System and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Operators must maintain protocols to prevent companion chatbots from producing sexually explicit content to minor users, including visual depictions or suggestions that minors engage in such conduct.

All users must receive clear warnings that companion chatbots are artificially generated and not human; minor users must receive additional warnings after every 3 hours of consecutive use recommending they take a break.

Operators must submit annual reports by March 1 (beginning 2027) to the Office of Suicide Prevention detailing their protocols and the number of crisis notifications issued; the Office must publish compiled data by July 1 each year.

Violations constitute unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties; the Act takes effect October 1, 2026.