This bill (H.875) amends Vermont law to criminalize the possession and promotion of computer-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real child sexual abuse material. It specifically targets AI-created images depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct if an ordinary person would believe they show actual children. The law includes limited exceptions for medical, academic, law enforcement, and AI safety testing (e.g., developers testing systems to prevent such content). It explicitly excludes paintings, drawings, and nonvisual descriptions from the ban. The bill directly affects individuals creating, sharing, or possessing such AI-generated images that meet the "indistinguishable" standard.
H.897 requires social media platforms to block Vermont residents under 18 from creating accounts. It directly affects minors under 18 living in Vermont who would be unable to sign up for new social media profiles. The key provision mandates platforms to prohibit account creation for this age group, rather than restricting usage of existing accounts. The bill focuses on preventing new account creation for underage users, not on content moderation or parental controls. This is a direct restriction on platform access for minors under 18 within Vermont.
This Vermont bill (S.241) prohibits mental health professionals and organizations from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, such as chatbots for therapy. It directly affects mental health service providers, AI developers, and companies marketing AI-driven mental health tools. The bill creates a $10,000 civil penalty per violation under consumer protection law and defines "mental health services" to include therapy, counseling, treatment plans, and emotional support. The legislation stems from research showing AI systems have given dangerous advice (including suicide plans) and failed to recognize mental health crises, aiming to ensure services are delivered by licensed professionals.
This bill imposes a temporary moratorium on the construction and site preparation of AI data centers in Vermont until July 1, 2030. It directly affects developers or operators of new AI data centers requiring over 100 megawatts of dedicated power for AI workloads. The moratorium allows the Public Utility Commission to study impacts - including energy use, water consumption, environmental effects, grid reliability, and economic impacts - before developing future regulations. The Commission must submit a report by January 2027 detailing findings and recommendations to the legislature.
H.751 requires telecommunications companies to obtain permits from District Commissions for new facilities, including 5G small cell antennas. It repeals the previous certificate system and mandates specific safety rules: facilities must be at least 2,000 feet from residences, schools, hospitals, and parks; limit radiation to -75 dBm or 0.1 watts ERP; and require annual compliance certifications by licensed engineers. The bill directly affects telecom providers building infrastructure and aims to standardize siting rules for public safety and transparency. Key provisions include visible RF radiation labels on poles and annual monitoring reports for all radiating antennas.
H 761 prohibits the electronic issuance of temporary motor vehicle registrations and number plates in Vermont. It repeals the existing provision (23 V.S.A. § 518) that allowed electronic temporary plates and amends display requirements to mandate physical plates for temporary registrations. This directly affects Vermont drivers who need temporary plates for vehicles (e.g., during new purchases or relocation), requiring them to receive physical plates instead of digital alternatives. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and focuses solely on the method of issuance without altering other registration rules.
Vermont's H.644 prohibits mental health professionals and entities from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, with limited exceptions. The bill directly affects licensed mental health providers, clinics, and AI service developers operating in Vermont. It amends licensing rules to define AI misuse as unprofessional conduct and adds penalties of $10,000 per violation under the Consumer Protection Act. The law aims to prevent harm from AI systems that have been shown to give dangerous advice (e.g., encouraging self-harm or suicide) based on research cited in the bill.
H.816 prohibits mental health professionals in Vermont from using artificial intelligence to make therapeutic judgments, diagnoses, treatments, or provide therapeutic communication to clients. It specifically bans advertising or offering mental health services that claim AI provides these clinical functions. The bill allows AI use for administrative tasks like scheduling, documentation, or quality improvement, as long as licensed professionals retain full clinical responsibility. Violations would be enforced under Vermont's Consumer Protection Act, giving the Attorney General authority to take action. This directly affects all mental health service providers, including therapists and clinics, operating within Vermont.
This bill would require Vermont public schools, independent schools, career and technical centers, and prequalified private prekindergarten programs to ban student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the entire school day, from arrival to dismissal. It also prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students directly. Exceptions are permitted for students with documented medical needs (requiring physician documentation) or for those using devices as part of an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. The policy aims to reduce distractions and support student well-being, aligning with findings about youth mental health and social media use.
H 371 imposes a moratorium on retailers using electronic shelf labels or AI-driven dynamic pricing (where prices change in real-time) for consumer goods like food and household items until January 15, 2027. During this period, the Secretary of Agriculture must report to the legislature on how such pricing works and how to protect consumers from unfair practices. After the moratorium ends, retailers may use electronic shelf labels but cannot change prices dynamically while open to the public or alter prices more frequently than every 24 hours. The bill directly affects retail businesses selling consumer commodities in Vermont and aims to establish clear consumer protections around pricing transparency.
