SB 482 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights

Summary

Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights; Prohibiting a governmental entity from extending or renewing a contract with specified entities, beginning on a specified date; prohibiting a local governmental entity from taking certain actions relating to contracting with an entity to provide artificial intelligence technology, software, or products unless certain requirements are met, beginning on a specified date; prohibiting a governmental entity from entering into a contract with an entity for artificial intelligence technology, software, or products under certain circumstances; requiring companion chatbot platforms to prohibit a minor from becoming or being an account holder unless the minor’s parent or guardian consents; requiring bot operators to periodically provide a certain notification to a user, etc.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 482 c1 → S 482 e1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a committee version to its final engrossed form, incorporating significant policy changes regarding local government contracting, educational AI use, and data privacy. The most notable substantive change is the addition of a restriction prohibiting educational entities from using AI instructional tools with students before 6th grade, except for specific support needs. Additionally, the bill now explicitly allows local governments to contract with AI vendors if certain requirements are met, whereas the previous version broadly prohibited such contracts.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific restrictions on local governmental entities contracting for AI technology, previously absent. The applicability of AI instructional tools in schools was narrowed to prohibit use before 6th grade, with exceptions for English learners and students with disabilities.

REQUIREMENT

Educational entities are now prohibited from providing students with access to AI instructional tools before grade 6, unless the use is directed by school personnel, necessary for English language learners, or required for students with disabilities.

A new requirement was added stating that the sale or disclosure of information specifically authorized by federal law is not prohibited by the deidentified data rules.

ELIGIBILITY

The restriction on local governmental entities contracting for AI technology was modified; instead of a blanket ban, local entities are now prohibited from contracting unless they meet specific requirements, such as receiving an affidavit confirming the vendor does not meet certain foreign ownership criteria.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Artificial intelligence instructional tool' was expanded to explicitly exclude tools designed to meet social needs, simulate friendship, or use anthropomorphic design features.

S 482 Filed → S 482 c1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a 'Filed' version to a 'Committee Substitute,' significantly expanding its scope to include educational institutions and refining definitions to align with modern AI standards. The most critical change is the addition of a new section requiring schools to notify parents before allowing students to use AI instructional tools, giving parents the right to opt out and access their child's account data. Additionally, the definition of 'companion chatbot' was updated to include memory and emotional features, while the definition of 'artificial intelligence' was simplified to focus on predictive capabilities rather than autonomy levels.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly cover 'educational entities' (schools, districts, and private schools), which were not clearly addressed in the original version. It also broadened the definition of 'companion chatbot' to include systems that simulate friendship or retain memory, whereas the original definition focused more narrowly on social needs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring educational entities to provide parents with notice before a student accesses an AI instructional tool, allowing parents to opt out and request access to the student's account activity.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'companion chatbot' to explicitly include systems that retain information on prior interactions, simulate friendship, or exhibit anthropomorphic features designed to encourage ongoing engagement.

Simplified the definition of 'artificial intelligence' from a system that 'varies in its level of autonomy' to a system that makes 'predictions, recommendations, or decisions' based on human-defined objectives.

RIGHTS

Added specific rights for residents to prevent chatbots from engaging with them as copyrighted characters or living individuals without consent.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded enforcement provisions to include a 'cure period' mechanism, allowing the Department of Legal Affairs to grant violators up to 45 days to fix issues before taking legal action.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, likely to allow time for the new educational provisions to be implemented.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

36–2

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Mar 4, 2026

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1

90% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

25 Yea 2 Nay 1

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS passed as amended; YEAS 35 NAYS 2

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendment(s) adopted (274134, 623028)

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/18/26, 1:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Commerce and Tourism; YEAS 10 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 01/21/26, 8:30 am, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors