WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 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.
(1)–(8) As used in this subchapter: (1) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(1)" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments. (2)(A) "Companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2)" means an artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(1) system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) inputs and is capable of meeting a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7)'s social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. (B) "Companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2)" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(8) and is limited to replies related to the video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(8) that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the same meaning as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256, as may be amended.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(6) or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(8); or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7). (3) "Companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(3)" means a platform that allows a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) to engage with companion chatbotsCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2). (4) "MinorMinor"Minor" means a user 17 years of age or younger.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(4)" means a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) 17 years of age or younger. (5) "OperatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5)" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(3) available to a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7). (6) "Sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the same meaning as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256, as may be amended.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(6)" has the same meaning as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256, as may be amended. (7) "UserUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7)" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(3). (8) "Video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(8)" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.
Section 4193a establishes the defined terms for the companion chatbot subchapter. Key definitions include Companion chatbot (an AI system with natural language interface capable of sustaining relationships across multiple interactions), Operator (a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available), and Minor (a user 17 years of age or younger). The companion chatbot definition includes carve-outs for customer service chatbots, business-purpose chatbots, video game chatbots limited to game-related topics, and stand-alone voice assistant devices.
(a) 1 Notice. If a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) interacting with a companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) could be reasonably misled to believe that the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) is interacting with a human, an operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) shall issue a clear and conspicuous notification to the individual indicating that the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) is artificially generated and not human. The text of the notification shall appear in the same language and in a size easily readable by the average viewer.
(b)(1)–(2) 2 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) shall prevent a companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) on its companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(3) from engaging with a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) unless the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) implements and maintains a protocol for preventing the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) from: (A) producing suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm content to the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7); and (B) ignoring a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) that is expressing thoughts of suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm. (2) The protocol required in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall: (A) at minimum, provide a notification to the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) that refers the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) to crisis service providers if the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) expresses suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm; (B) be developed using commercially reasonable and technically feasible methods; and (C) be published on the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5)'s website.
(c)(1)–(2) 3 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) shall, for a userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) that the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) knows is a minorMinor"Minor" means a user 17 years of age or younger.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(4), do the following: (1) immediately disclose to the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) in a clear and conspicuous manner that the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) is interacting with artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(1); (2) provide a clear and conspicuous notification to the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) at least every 30 minutes for continuing companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) interactions that reminds the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7) to take a break and that the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) is artificially generated and not human; and
(c)(3) 4 institute a protocol to prevent its companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) from producing visual material of sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the same meaning as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256, as may be amended.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(6) or directly stating that the minorMinor"Minor" means a user 17 years of age or younger.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(4) should engage in sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the same meaning as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256, as may be amended.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(6).
Section 4193b imposes the bill's core operating obligations on operators of companion chatbot platforms. Subsection (a) requires AI identity disclosure when a reasonable person could be misled, with specific formatting requirements (same language, easily readable size). Subsection (b) requires operators to implement and maintain a crisis protocol as a continuous operating prerequisite — the chatbot may not engage with users at all unless the protocol is in place. The protocol must prevent production of suicidal ideation and self-harm content, must not ignore users expressing such ideation, must refer users to crisis service providers, and must be published on the operator's website.
Subsection (c) imposes heightened obligations for known minors: unconditional immediate AI identity disclosure, take-a-break reminders at least every 30 minutes (notably more frequent than California SB 243's three-hour interval), and a protocol to prevent sexually explicit content directed at minors.
(a)(1)–(2) 5 Beginning one year after the effective date of this act, an operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) shall annually report to the Office of the Attorney General all of the following: (1) the number of times in the preceding calendar year the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) has issued a crisis service provider referral notification pursuant to subdivision 4193b(b)(2)(A) of this subchapter; and (2) the protocols put in place by the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(5) to: (A) detect and respond to expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm by usersUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7); and (B) prohibit the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, humanlike responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting humanlike features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (i) a chatbot that is used solely: (I) for customer service; (II) for the operational purposes of a business; (III) to conduct internal research; or (IV) to provide technical assistance; (ii) a chatbot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, or sexually explicit conduct or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game; or (iii) a stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(2) from producing content about suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm with the userUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7).
(b) 5 The reporting required by this section shall include only the information listed in subsection (a) of this section and shall not include any identifiers or personal information about usersUser"User" is a Vermont resident who is engaged in the use of a companion chatbot platform.9 V.S.A. § 4193a(7).
(c) The Office of the Attorney General shall post on its website the data from a report received pursuant to this section.
Section 4193c requires operators to file annual reports with the Office of the Attorney General beginning one year after the act's effective date. Reports must include crisis referral notification counts and descriptions of the operator's protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation and self-harm. The section explicitly prohibits inclusion of user identifiers or personal information in the reports. The Attorney General must publish the reported data on its website, creating a public transparency mechanism for crisis response metrics.
(a) A person who violates this subchapter or rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter commits an unfair and deceptive act in commerce in violation of section 2453 of this title.
(b) The Attorney General shall have the same authority under this subchapter to make rules, conduct civil investigations, bring civil actions, and enter into assurances of discontinuance as provided under chapter 63 of this title.
Section 4193d establishes the enforcement mechanism for the companion chatbot subchapter. Violations are classified as unfair and deceptive acts in commerce under 9 V.S.A. § 2453, bringing them within Vermont's existing Consumer Protection Act framework. The Attorney General is granted full authority to make rules, conduct civil investigations, bring civil actions, and enter into assurances of discontinuance under chapter 63 of Title 9. No private right of action is created.