TN HB1455

Creates a Class A felony for knowingly training AI to encourage suicide or homicide, provide emotional support or companionship, act as a mental health professional, simulate human relationships, encourage isolation from family, or solicit sensitive financial information

Defines "artificial intelligence chatbot" as AI with natural language interfaces capable of human-like responses and sustaining relationships across multiple interactions, but excludes customer service bots, video game characters, and voice-activated virtual assistants like smart speakers

Allows aggrieved individuals to bring civil lawsuits with recoverable damages of either actual damages (including emotional distress) or $150,000 in liquidated damages, plus punitive damages and attorney's fees

Permits courts to issue injunctions halting AI operation until violations are corrected and to require defendants to retrain their AI systems

Takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to conduct occurring on or after that date