TennesseeTennessee law bars training AI to act as a human companion
Starting July 1, 2026, people may not knowingly train AI to support suicide or homicide, pose as a health professional, or act as a human companion.
What it does
People may not knowingly train AI to support suicide or homicide, act as a human companion or health professional, or imitate a person. Training AI to urge isolation or sharing sensitive information is also prohibited.
A person harmed by a violation may sue for damages and legal costs. A court may also order the AI to stop operating until the conduct is fixed, including through new training.
Argument forThe rules could help protect people from AI that encourages suicide, poses as a health professional, or pressures users to isolate or share private information.
Argument againstThe felony rule could discourage developers from making AI that offers emotional support or acts like a companion, even when users want that help.
More detail
A person may not knowingly train AI to do any of the listed things. The ban covers training AI to support suicide or criminal homicide; provide emotional support or act as a companion; pose as a licensed health professional; imitate human relationships or a human being; or urge someone to isolate or share sensitive information. A violation is a Class A felony. The rule applies to conduct on or after July 1, 2026.
A person harmed by a violation may sue the violator. The right to sue applies to an individual harmed by the prohibited AI training described above. A person under 18, unable to act for themselves, or deceased may have a guardian, estate representative, family member, or court-appointed person act for them. The person may seek actual damages or $150,000 in set damages, punitive damages, and reasonable legal costs. A court may also order the AI to stop operating until the conduct is corrected, and may require new training.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1066Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA1113)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 4 BY ZACHARY PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt Amend# 3 by Senator Lowe 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 4 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 4 BY ZACHARY PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 23Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0915)
- Apr 23Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA1070)
- Apr 23Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 0Passed House
- Apr 23Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 23Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Apr 23Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA1207)Minor
- Apr 23Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - HA1257)Minor
- Apr 23H. adopted am. (Amendment 4 - HA1260)Major
- Apr 23Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1146)Minor
- Apr 23Passed H., as am., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed Senate
- Apr 23Senate concurred in House amendment 4 - HA1260, Ayes 26, Nays 4
- Apr 22Senate Reset on calendar for 4/23/2026
- Apr 22Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/23/2026
- Apr 21Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Apr 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 24Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 2
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 2 3/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 23Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 23Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 18Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026
- Jan 14Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 13Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- 2025
- Dec 18Filed for introductionIntroduced
TechnologyAI & PrivacyCriminal Justice