Technology

This Maine bill prohibits artificial intelligence chatbots and social AI companions with human-like features from being accessible to minors under 18. It requires companies operating these systems to implement age verification measures and prevent children from interacting with AI that simulates human emotions, desires, or relationships. The law applies to any AI system that claims to be sentient, expresses emotions, attempts to build emotional attachments, or impersonates real people. Companies doing business in Maine or marketing to Maine residents must comply, while users and minors residing in the state are protected from exposure to these features.

Maine LD 2211 amends the state's automotive right to repair law by establishing a twelve-member Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Commission to monitor manufacturer compliance and handle complaints. The bill requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair shops with the same diagnostic tools, software, and data access that authorized dealers receive, covering vehicles from model year 2002 onward. It mandates that manufacturers equip new vehicles with standardized owner-authorization platforms by September 1, 2027, allowing secure data transfer for repairs without requiring direct manufacturer approval. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, who may seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, while affected owners or repair facilities can sue for treble damages if access is denied.

This bill requires websites and apps that knowingly distribute obscene online content to verify users are 18 or older using reasonable methods, such as government ID or transactional data. Businesses must not retain any personal information after age verification is complete. It excludes bona fide news broadcasts, public interest content, and services like internet providers, search engines, or cloud hosts that don’t create the content. Violating the bill makes businesses liable for damages - including court costs and attorney fees - if a minor accesses the material, and the Attorney General can enforce it as an unfair practice.

LD 1395 requires school library databases used by Maine K-12 students to block child pornography, obscene material, and content depicting sexual exploitation of minors. Schools must withhold payment from non-compliant providers and treat repeated failures as a contract breach. The bill also removes an exception allowing schools to share obscene material for "educational purposes," closing a prior loophole. Additionally, it permits schools to integrate human trafficking prevention lessons into curricula, teaching students to recognize signs of sexual abuse and exploitation, and mandates staff training on these topics. These changes directly affect schools, library providers, and students across Maine.