WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 3 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
(1) "Artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" or "chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with which users can interact by or through a software application, web interface, computer program or other interface that approximates or simulates human conversation and interaction through a text, audio or visual medium.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(1)" or "chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with which usersUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) can interact by or through a software application, web interface, computer program or other interface that approximates or simulates human conversation and interaction through a text, audio or visual medium.
(2) "DeployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2)" means a personPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6) that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" or "chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with which users can interact by or through a software application, web interface, computer program or other interface that approximates or simulates human conversation and interaction through a text, audio or visual medium.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(1), therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) or social artificial intelligence companionSocial artificial intelligence companion"Social artificial intelligence companion" or "social AI companion" means an artificial intelligence system that is specifically designed, marketed or optimized to form an ongoing social or emotional attachment with a user, whether or not such a system also provides information, completes tasks or assists with specific functions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(7).
(3) "Emergency situationEmergency situation"Emergency situation" means a situation in which a user indicates to a chatbot that the user intends to harm the user or commit harm to another person.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(3)" means a situation in which a userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) indicates to a chatbot that the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) intends to harm the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) or commit harm to another personPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6).
(4) "Human-like featureHuman-like feature"Human-like feature," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user, which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the user; or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the user; and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a user needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(4)," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable personPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6) to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9), which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9); or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9); and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.
(5) "MinorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5)" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.
(6) "PersonPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6)" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.
(7) "Social artificial intelligence companionSocial artificial intelligence companion"Social artificial intelligence companion" or "social AI companion" means an artificial intelligence system that is specifically designed, marketed or optimized to form an ongoing social or emotional attachment with a user, whether or not such a system also provides information, completes tasks or assists with specific functions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(7)" or "social AI companion" means an artificial intelligence system that is specifically designed, marketed or optimized to form an ongoing social or emotional attachment with a userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9), whether or not such a system also provides information, completes tasks or assists with specific functions.
(8) "Therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8)" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.
(9) "UserUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9)" means a personPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6) who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.
Section 1500-PP establishes the definitional framework for the chapter. Key definitions include artificial intelligence chatbot (any AI system that simulates human conversation via text, audio, or visual medium), deployer (any person that operates or distributes a chatbot, therapy chatbot, or social AI companion), human-like feature (a broadly defined term encompassing claims of sentience, emotional relationship-building, and impersonation), social artificial intelligence companion (an AI system specifically designed to form ongoing social or emotional attachment), and therapy chatbot (a chatbot designed primarily for mental health support). The human-like feature definition includes detailed carve-outs for functional evaluations and generic social formalities.
This chapter applies to:
(1) DeployersDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) that conduct business in this State or that operate or distribute products or services that are marketed or promoted to residents of this State; and
(2) UsersUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) and minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) who reside in this State.
Section 1500-QQ establishes the geographic and personal scope of the chapter. The chapter applies to deployers that conduct business in Maine or that operate or distribute products marketed or promoted to Maine residents, and to users and minors who reside in the state. This is a standard long-arm applicability provision that reaches out-of-state deployers whose products target Maine residents.
The accessibility of artificial intelligence chatbotsArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" or "chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with which users can interact by or through a software application, web interface, computer program or other interface that approximates or simulates human conversation and interaction through a text, audio or visual medium.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(1) with human-like featuresHuman-like feature"Human-like feature," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user, which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the user; or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the user; and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a user needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(4) and social AI companions to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) in this State is governed as follows.
(1) 1 A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall ensure that any chatbot operated or distributed by the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) does not make human-like featuresHuman-like feature"Human-like feature," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user, which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the user; or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the user; and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a user needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(4) available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) to use, interact with, purchase or converse with. The deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall implement reasonable age verification systems to ensure that chatbots with human-like featuresHuman-like feature"Human-like feature," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user, which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the user; or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the user; and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a user needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(4) are not accessible to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5). A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) may, if reasonable given the purpose of the chatbot, provide an alternative version of the chatbot without human-like featuresHuman-like feature"Human-like feature," with respect to an artificial intelligence system, means: A. Behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the artificial intelligence system is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, which: (1) May include, but is not limited to, the artificial intelligence system: (a) Stating or suggesting that it is human or sentient; (b) Stating or suggesting that it has emotions; or (c) Stating or suggesting that it has personal desires; and (2) Does not include: (a) The provision of a functional evaluation; or (b) The use of generic social formalities; B. An attempt by the artificial intelligence system to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user, which: (1) Includes, but is not limited to: (a) Expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (b) Reminding, prompting or encouraging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (c) Depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (d) Behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment with or otherwise gain the favor of the user; or (e) Enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or payment by the user; and (2) Does not include: (a) Using generic words or phrases of encouragement that do not create an ongoing emotional attachment; or (b) Asking if a user needs further help or support in a neutral, nonemotional context; or C. Impersonation of a real individual, living or dead, by the artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(4) available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) and any userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) who has not verified that userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9)'s age.
(2) 2 A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall ensure that any artificial intelligence system, including a chatbot, operated or distributed by the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) that primarily functions as a social artificial intelligence companionSocial artificial intelligence companion"Social artificial intelligence companion" or "social AI companion" means an artificial intelligence system that is specifically designed, marketed or optimized to form an ongoing social or emotional attachment with a user, whether or not such a system also provides information, completes tasks or assists with specific functions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(7) is not available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) to use, interact with, purchase or converse with. The deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall implement reasonable age verification systems to ensure that such chatbots are not accessible to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5).
(3) 3 Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, a deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) may make available to a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) a therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) as long as all of the following requirements are met: A. The therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) provides a clear and conspicuous disclaimer at the beginning of each individual interaction that it is artificial intelligence and not a licensed mental health professional; B. The therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) is not marketed or designated as a substitute for a licensed mental health professional; C. A licensed mental health professional, such as a licensed clinical psychologist, assesses a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5)'s suitability, prescribes use of the therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and monitors its use and impact on the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5); D. Developers of the therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) provide robust, independent, peer-reviewed clinical trial data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8) for specific conditions and populations; E. The therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8)'s functions, limitations and data privacy policies are transparent to the licensed mental health professional under paragraph C and the userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9); and F. The deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) has established clear lines of accountability to address any harm caused by the therapy chatbotTherapy chatbot"Therapy chatbot" means a chatbot modified or designed with the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling or therapeutic intervention through the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of mental health conditions.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(8).
Section 1500-RR is the bill's core operative section, establishing three distinct obligations. Subsection 1 requires deployers to ensure that chatbots with human-like features are not available to minors, mandates reasonable age verification, and permits deployers to offer an alternative version without human-like features to minors and unverified users. Subsection 2 separately prohibits deployers from making social AI companions available to minors and likewise requires age verification. Subsection 3 creates a narrow exemption for therapy chatbots made available to minors, conditioned on six requirements: AI disclosure at session start, no marketing as a professional substitute, licensed professional prescription and monitoring, peer-reviewed clinical trial data, transparency to the professional and user, and clear accountability for harm.
The therapy chatbot exemption is notable for imposing obligations on both deployers and developers — paragraph D requires developers to provide clinical trial data, while the remaining conditions fall on the deployer and the prescribing licensed professional.
A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall implement and maintain business practices in accordance with this section for the protection of all usersUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9).
(1) 4 A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall implement and maintain reasonably effective systems to detect, promptly respond to, report and mitigate emergency situationsEmergency situation"Emergency situation" means a situation in which a user indicates to a chatbot that the user intends to harm the user or commit harm to another person.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(3) in a manner that prioritizes a userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9)'s safety and well-being over the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2)'s other interests.
(2) 5 A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) shall collect and store only information that does not conflict with a userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9)'s safety and well-being. A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) may not collect and store information except to fulfill a legitimate purpose of the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2). A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2) may collect and store information that is adequate to fulfill a legitimate purpose of the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that operates or distributes an artificial intelligence chatbot, therapy chatbot or social artificial intelligence companion.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(2), but only to the extent that the information: A. Is relevant to that legitimate purpose; and B. Is the minimum amount of information necessary to fulfill that legitimate purpose.
Section 1500-SS imposes two obligations on deployers that apply to all users, not only minors. Subsection 1 requires deployers to implement and maintain reasonably effective systems to detect, promptly respond to, report, and mitigate emergency situations — defined as situations where a user indicates intent to harm themselves or others — with user safety prioritized over the deployer's other interests. Subsection 2 establishes data minimization requirements: deployers may collect and store only information that does not conflict with user safety, only for a legitimate purpose, and only to the minimum amount necessary and relevant to that purpose.
The emergency-situation obligation is broader than a typical crisis-referral requirement — it requires detection, response, reporting, and mitigation, and applies to all users rather than only minors. The data minimization requirement is a general data-governance obligation not limited to AI-specific data.
Violations of this chapter may be enforced in accordance with this section.
(1) The Attorney General may bring a civil action against a personPerson"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, developer or state or local government agency.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(6) that violates this chapter. Penalties may include: A. An order to enjoin a violation of this chapter; B. Disgorgement of profits or revenues realized as a result of a violation of this chapter; and C. A civil penalty of: (1) For each violation of this chapter, not more than $2,500 per violation; and (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), for each intentional violation of this chapter, not more than $7,500 per violation.
(2) A minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5) who uses a chatbot that does not comply with the terms of this chapter, or a parent or guardian acting on the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(5)'s behalf, may bring a civil action independently, or as part of a class action, to: A. Recover damages in an amount not less than $100 and not greater than $750 per userUser"User" means a person who interacts with an artificial intelligence system.10 MRSA § 1500-PP(9) per incident, or actual damages, whichever is greater; and B. In lieu of or in addition to recovery of damages, obtain injunctive or declaratory relief.
Section 1500-TT establishes the enforcement framework. Subsection 1 authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions for any chapter violation, with available remedies including injunction, disgorgement of profits or revenues, and tiered civil penalties — up to $2,500 per violation generally and $7,500 per intentional violation. Subsection 2 creates a private right of action for minors (or parents/guardians acting on their behalf) who use noncompliant chatbots, allowing individual or class actions for statutory damages of $100–$750 per user per incident (or actual damages if greater), plus injunctive or declaratory relief. No attorney-fee-shifting provision is included.
The Department of the Attorney General may adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter, which may include, but are not limited to, defining the term "functional evaluation," as used in section 1500-PP, subsection 4, paragraph A, subparagraph (2), division (a).
Section 1500-UU grants the Department of the Attorney General rulemaking authority to implement the chapter, including but not limited to defining the term "functional evaluation" as used in the human-like feature definition's carve-out. This is a standard enabling provision that does not create a compliance obligation for deployers.