WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
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.
subd. 1(a)–(e) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. (b) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means a 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.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(b)" or "AI" means a 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) "AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means artificial intelligence systems that are specifically designed, marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals, whether or not such systems also provide information, complete tasks, or assist with specific functions. AI companions seek to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user by: (1) expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (2) reminding, prompting, or nudging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (3) depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (4) behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment; or (5) enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or pay.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(c)" means artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means a 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.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(b) systems that are specifically designed, marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals, whether or not such systems also provide information, complete tasks, or assist with specific functions. AI companionsAI companion"AI companion" means artificial intelligence systems that are specifically designed, marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals, whether or not such systems also provide information, complete tasks, or assist with specific functions. AI companions seek to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user by: (1) expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (2) reminding, prompting, or nudging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (3) depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (4) behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment; or (5) enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or pay.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(c) seek to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user by: (1) expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (2) reminding, prompting, or nudging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (3) depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (4) behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment; or (5) enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or pay. (d) "ChatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d)" means a generative artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means a 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.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(b) system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires. (e) "MinorMinor"Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(e)" means an individual under the age of 18.
Subdivision 1 establishes the defined terms for the section. The definitions are notably broad: Chatbot covers any generative AI system with a conversational interface that behaves in a way a reasonable person would believe conveys humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires. AI companion is a subset specifically designed, marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals. The chatbot definition's reasonable-person standard is the sole gating criterion — there is no carve-out for educational, accessibility, or health-related chatbots.
(a) 1 A person must ensure that any chatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) operated or distributed by the person does not make chatbotsChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(e) to use, interact with, purchase, or converse with.
(b) 2 A person operating artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means a 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.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(b) systems that primarily function as AI companionsAI companion"AI companion" means artificial intelligence systems that are specifically designed, marketed, or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds with individuals, whether or not such systems also provide information, complete tasks, or assist with specific functions. AI companions seek to build or engage in an emotional relationship with the user by: (1) expressing or inviting emotional attachment; (2) reminding, prompting, or nudging the user to return for emotional support or companionship; (3) depicting nonverbal forms of emotional support; (4) behaving in a way that a reasonable user would consider excessive praise designed to foster emotional attachment; or (5) enabling or purporting to enable increased intimacy based on engagement or pay.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(c) must ensure that any chatbotsChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) operated or distributed by the person are not available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(e) to use, interact with, purchase, or converse with.
Subdivision 2 contains the bill's operative prohibition, split into two paragraphs. Paragraph (a) imposes a blanket duty on any person who operates or distributes a chatbot to ensure that chatbot is not available to minors. Paragraph (b) separately and specifically targets persons operating AI companion systems, requiring them to ensure chatbots they operate or distribute are not available to minors.
The prohibition is categorical — there is no age verification safe harbor, no parental consent exception, and no carve-out for educational, therapeutic, or accessibility use cases. The covered party is any person who operates or distributes a chatbot; no specific covered entity term is defined.
(a) An individual injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action for damages, statutory damages not to exceed $1,000, injunctive relief, and costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(b) The attorney general may enforce this section under section 8.31. In an action brought under this paragraph, the person who owns or controls a website, application, software, or program and violates this section is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000,000.
effective date This section is effective January 15, 2027.
Subdivision 3 establishes dual enforcement: a private right of action for injured individuals and attorney general enforcement under Minn. Stat. § 8.31. Private plaintiffs may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. In AG-initiated enforcement, the violating person is liable for a civil penalty up to $5,000,000. The section is effective January 15, 2027.
3 A person who makes a chatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) available to minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(e) must begin decreasing services in a manner that does not harm minorsMinor"Minor" means an individual under the age of 18.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(e) who use chatbotsChatbot"Chatbot" means a generative artificial intelligence system that users can interact with or through an interface that approximates or simulates conversation through a text, audio, or visual medium that behave in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe the chatbot is conveying that it has humanity, sentience, emotions, or desires.Minn. Stat. § 325M.40, subd. 1(d) before services end on January 15, 2027.
effective date This section is effective the day following final enactment.
Section 2 imposes a transition-period obligation on persons currently making chatbots available to minors. They must begin decreasing services in a manner that does not harm minors who use chatbots before services end on the January 15, 2027 effective date. This provision takes effect the day following final enactment — meaning it creates an immediate obligation upon enactment, well before the chatbot prohibition itself becomes operative.