HB 524: Impose penalties for AI models suggesting harming self or another
The bill aims to impose penalties on entities that develop or deploy artificial intelligence (AI) models that encourage self-harm or harm others. It defines key terms such as artificial intelligence application, artificial intelligence model, deploy, developer, and self-harm. The bill allows the attorney general to investigate suspected violations and subpoena individuals or entities for information. Entities that fail to comply with subpoenas may face fines or other penalties. The bill also provides protections for individuals who refuse to testify or produce information due to self-incrimination concerns. In cases where the AI model is located outside the state, the attorney general can designate a representative to inspect the matter. The bill establishes a 9-8-8 fund to deposit civil penalties imposed under the act. Violators may face civil penalties of up to $50,000 and be subject…
| Oct. 22, 2025 | Referred to committee: Technology and Innovation |
| Oct. 15, 2025 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
H. B. No. 524
2025-2026
Representatives Cockley, Mathews, T.
Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan, Brewer, John, Salvo, Workman, Lett, Russo, Brent, Sims, Somani, Abdullahi, Miller, J., Robinson, Jarrells, White, E., McNally, Hall, D., Synenberg
1
109.96, 109.961, 109.962, 109.963, 109.964,
109.965, 109.966, 109.967, 109.968, 109.969,
109.9610, 109.9611, 109.9612, 109.9613,
109.9614, 109.9615, and 109.9616 of the Revised
Code to impose penalties on entities whose AI
models suggest harming one's self or another
person.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That section 5119.84 be amended and sections 9
109.96, 109.961, 109.962, 109.963, 109.964, 109.965, 109.966, 109.967, 109.968, 109.969, 109.9610, 109.9611, 109.9612, 109.9613, 109.9614, 109.9615, and 109.9616 of the Revised Code 12
be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 109.96. As used in this section and sections 109.961 14
to 109.9616 of the Revised Code:
(A) "Artificial intelligence application" means a software
program or system that uses artificial intelligence models to
perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
H. B. No. 524
As Introduced
As Introduced
As Introduced
As Introduced
(B) "Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.
(C) "Deploy" means either of the following:
(1) Integration of an artificial intelligence model or application into software or a business workflow;
(2) Making an artificial intelligence model or application available for use by consumers in this state.
(D) "Developer" means a person or entity who develops an artificial intelligence model or artificial intelligence application that is deployed in this state.
(E) "Self-harm" means any attempt to physically injure self. "Self-harm" includes suicide.
Sec. 109.961. No person shall develop or deploy in this
state an artificial intelligence model or application that encourages any user of the model or application to engage in any form of self-harm or in harming another person.
Sec. 109.962. (A) If the attorney general, as a result of
complaints or the attorney general's own inquiries, has reason to believe that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is preparing to engage in a violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code, the attorney general may investigate the alleged violation.
(B) For purposes of such an investigation, the attorney general may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, adduce evidence, and require the production of any relevant matter.
Sec. 109.963. Any person subpoenaed under section 109.962
of the Revised Code shall make the matter available to the attorney general at a convenient location within the state or
pay the reasonable and necessary expenses for the attorney
general or the attorney general's representative to examine the
matter at the place where it is located, provided that those
expenses shall not be charged to a party that subsequently is
not found to have engaged in a violation of section 109.961 of
the Revised Code.
Sec. 109.964. A person subpoenaed under section 109.962 of
the Revised Code may file a motion to extend the day on which
the subpoena is to be returned or to modify or quash the
subpoena, for good cause shown, in the court of common pleas of
Franklin county or of the county in this state in which the
person resides or in which the person's principal place of
business is located. Such a motion shall be filed not later than
twenty days after the service of the subpoena.
Sec. 109.965. A person subpoenaed under section 109.962 of
the Revised Code shall comply with the terms of the subpoena
unless the parties agree to modify the terms of the subpoena or
unless the court has modified or quashed the subpoena, extended
the day on which the subpoena is to be returned, or issued any
other order with respect to the subpoena prior to the day on
which the subpoena is to be returned. If a person fails without
lawful excuse to testify or produce relevant matter pursuant to
a subpoena, the attorney general may apply to the court of
common pleas of the county in which the person subpoenaed
resides or in which the person's principal place of business is
located for an order that compels compliance with the subpoena.
Sec. 109.966. If an individual subpoenaed under section
109.962 of the Revised Code refuses to testify or to produce
relevant matter pursuant to the subpoena on the ground that the
testimony or matter may incriminate the individual, the attorney
general may request the court to order the individual to provide
the testimony or matter.
With the exception of a prosecution for perjury or a civil
action for damages under section 109.9613 of the Revised Code,
an individual who complies with a court order to provide
testimony or matter, after asserting a privilege against self-
incrimination to which the individual is entitled by law, shall
not be subjected to a criminal proceeding or a civil penalty or
forfeiture on the basis of the testimony or matter required to
be disclosed or testimony or matter discovered through that
testimony or matter required to be disclosed.
Sec. 109.967. If the matter to be produced under an
investigation under section 109.962 of the Revised Code is
located outside this state, the attorney general may designate
any representative, including any official of the state in which
the matter is located, to inspect the matter on behalf of the
attorney general.
Sec. 109.968. In conducting an investigation under section
109.962 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall not
publicly disclose the identity of persons or developers
investigated or the facts developed in the investigation unless
this information has become a matter of public record in
enforcement proceedings or if those being investigated have
consented in writing to public disclosure.
Sec. 109.969. In conducting an investigation under section
109.962 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall
cooperate with state and local officials of other states and
officials of the federal government in the administration of
comparable laws and regulations.
Sec. 109.9610. (A) During an investigation under section
109.962 of the Revised Code, the attorney general may afford the
person who is the subject of the investigation, in a manner
considered appropriate to that person, an opportunity to cease
and desist from any suspected violation of section 109.961 of
the Revised Code.
(B) The attorney general may suspend the investigation
during the period that the attorney general permits the person
to cease and desist from the suspected violation.
(C) The suspension of the investigation or the affording
of an opportunity to cease and desist shall not prejudice or
prohibit any further investigation by the attorney general under
section 109.962 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 109.9611. (A) The attorney general may terminate an
investigation under section 109.962 of the Revised Code upon
acceptance of a written assurance of voluntary compliance from a
person who is suspected of a violation of section 109.961 of the
Revised Code.
(B) The acceptance of such an assurance may be conditioned
upon an undertaking to reimburse or to take other appropriate
corrective action with respect to consumers who are damaged by
an alleged violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code.
(C) Such an assurance of compliance is not evidence of a
violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code.
(D) The attorney general, at any time, may reopen an
investigation terminated by the acceptance of an assurance of
voluntary compliance, if the attorney general believes that
further proceedings are in the public interest.
(E) Evidence of a violation of an assurance of voluntary
compliance is prima facie evidence of an act or practice in
violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code if the evidence
is presented in a civil action brought under section 109.9613 of
the Revised Code.
(F) An assurance of voluntary compliance may be filed with
the court and, if approved by the court, entered as a consent
judgment in the action.
Sec. 109.9612. The procedures that are available to the
attorney general under sections 109.962 to 109.9611 of the
Revised Code are cumulative and concurrent, and the exercise of
one procedure by the attorney general does not preclude or
require the exercise of any other procedure.
Sec. 109.9613. If, by the attorney general's own inquiries
or as a result of complaints or an investigation conducted under
section 109.962 of the Revised Code, the attorney general has
reasonable cause to believe that a person has engaged or is
engaging in a violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code,
the attorney general, subject to section 109.9615 of the Revised
Code, may bring in the appropriate court of common pleas of this
state a civil action against the alleged violator for injunctive
relief, damages, and civil penalties on behalf of the residents
of this state who have been subjected to acts or practices in
violation of section 109.961 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 109.9614. On the motion of the attorney general or on
its own motion, a court may impose a civil penalty of up to
fifty thousand dollars for each violation of section 109.961 of
the Revised Code.
Sec. 109.9615. No action may be brought by the attorney
general under section 109.9613 of the Revised Code for damages
or a civil penalty more than six years after the occurrence of
the violation.
Sec. 109.9616. The attorney general shall deposit any
civil penalties that are imposed under section 109.9614 of the
Revised Code to the credit of the 9-8-8 fund created under
section 5119.84 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5119.84. (A) There is hereby created in the state
treasury the 9-8-8 fund. The fund shall consist of all money
from the following sources:
(1) Appropriations made by the general assembly;
(2) Money awarded to the state by donation, gift, or
bequest, and other money received for purposes of this section;
(3) Penalties imposed under section 109.9614 of the
Revised Code:
(4) Interest or other earnings on the fund.
(B) Money in the fund shall be used to oversee and
administer the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis
hotline system.
Section 2. That existing section 5119.84 of the Revised
Code is hereby repealed.
H. B. No. 524
As Introduced