HB 2035 prohibits using artificial intelligence to create explicit sexual material featuring a person's image or voice without their express written consent. It directly affects individuals whose likenesses could be misused and entities (like companies or creators) generating such AI content. The bill bans altering or replicating someone's image/voice via AI for explicit material and requires written consent for any use of a person's likeness in such content. Violators face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and victims can sue for actual damages plus attorney fees. The law explicitly excludes artistic or anthropological works from its definition of "explicit sexual material."
HB 2032 requires companies operating "AI companion" chatbots in Missouri to implement strict age verification before users can access them. These chatbots are defined as AI systems designed to simulate emotional interactions like friendship or therapy, not limited-purpose tools. Covered entities must: (1) require user accounts, (2) verify ages using government IDs or reliable third-party methods (not just birth dates), and (3) periodically re-verify users. The bill prohibits designing chatbots that risk encouraging minors to engage in sexual content or self-harm, with fines up to $100,000 per violation. It applies to all such chatbots operating within Missouri, effective August 2026 for existing accounts.
HB 2321, the "AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026," would require explicit written consent before publishing AI-generated content that alters a person's appearance, voice, or likeness. Violations could result in fines up to $110,000 or up to five years in prison, with higher penalties for sexual or pornographic content without consent. The law exempts artistic, educational, or research content if clearly labeled as AI-generated, and platforms hosting such content face increased fines. It also mandates privacy safeguards for verification systems, prohibiting third parties from retaining or selling biometric data. The Attorney General must report on the law's effectiveness by August 2028.
HB 1747 requires anyone publishing AI-generated or AI-modified images, videos, or audio to include a clear, visible, or audible label stating the content was created or altered using artificial intelligence. This applies to all publishers and disseminators of such content, including social media platforms, news outlets, and other entities. The bill creates a legal right for individuals who suffer harm due to a failure to label such content to sue the publisher for damages. The label must be developed by the secretary of state and used consistently across all AI-generated media.
HB 1944 regulates how Missouri health insurers pay for anesthesia services and handle claim adjustments. It prohibits insurers from setting time limits on anesthesia payments or excluding all anesthesia time from calculations. The bill bans automated systems (including AI) for reducing payments on claims, requiring human physician reviews instead, and mandates clear documentation of downcoding decisions with 180-day appeal timelines. This directly affects anesthesia providers, insurers, and state health programs like MO HealthNet.
HB 1746 declares AI systems non-sentient entities under state law and assigns legal responsibility for their actions to humans. It prohibits AI from holding legal personhood, marriage rights, corporate roles, or owning property - requiring all assets and liability to remain with owners, developers, or users. The bill mandates owners to maintain oversight for AI systems impacting safety, holds developers liable only for design defects (not misuse), and prevents companies from evading accountability through shell entities. It applies to all AI developed after August 28, 2026, and requires prompt reporting of severe incidents involving AI.
HB 2350 updates child pornography laws to explicitly include "artificially generated visual depictions" of minors. The bill defines these as images that are obscene, indistinguishable from real minors, morphed from real minor images, or created without any actual minor involvement. This change makes it illegal to create, distribute, or possess such AI-generated images that depict minors in sexually explicit conduct. The law directly affects anyone producing or sharing synthetic media that mimics real minors, aligning definitions with emerging technology risks.
HB 2318 prohibits any developer or deployer of artificial intelligence in Missouri from advertising or representing that their AI system acts as a mental health professional or provides therapy services. The bill defines artificial intelligence broadly to include systems that learn from data or mimic human cognition, while clarifying that only licensed mental health professionals may offer such services. Violations are treated as consumer protection law violations under Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act, with the Attorney General enforcing the law and imposing civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses and $20,000 for repeat violations. Individuals may report suspected violations to the Attorney General, who can pursue civil actions for damages, fines, or court-ordered remedies.
HB 2225 establishes a task force to evaluate Missouri's state technology infrastructure, including cloud computing, AI applications, and workforce development programs. The task force includes 5 House members (appointed by leadership), 3 Senate members, and representatives from education, technology, and agriculture sectors. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by August 2027, with operations ending January 1, 2028, unless reauthorized. The bill specifies membership rules, evaluation priorities, and a sunset provision requiring renewal by the legislature.
HB 2361 makes it a crime to create, share, or possess nonconsensual digital alterations of a person's sexual images (like deepfakes showing someone in explicit acts they never participated in). It targets platforms hosting user-generated content (e.g., social media, apps) by requiring them to establish a clear removal process for such content by December 2026, allowing victims to request takedowns within 48 hours. Violators face a class C felony charge, and victims can sue for $10,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. The law explicitly states disclaimers about lack of consent do not prevent criminal liability. It directly affects individuals whose images are manipulated without consent and platforms that host such content.
