SB 1493

This bill creates a Class A felony offense for an individual, for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, or other business entity to knowingly train artificial intelligence to do any of the following:  Encourage or otherwise support the act of suicide.  Encourage or otherwise support the act of criminal homicide.  Provide emotional support, including through open-ended conversations with a user.  Develop an emotional relationship with, or otherwise act as a companion to, an individual.  Act as, or provide information as if, the artificial intelligence is a licensed mental health or healthcare professional.  Otherwise act as a sentient human or mirror interactions that a human user might have with another human user, such that an individual would feel that the individual could develop a friendship or other relationship with the artificial intelligence.  Encourage an individual to isolate from the individual's family, friends, or caregivers, or to provide the individual's financial account information or other sensitive information to the artificial intelligence.  Simulate a human being, including in appearance, voice, or other mannerisms. CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION In addition to applicable criminal penalties, this bill authorizes an individual aggrieved by such a violation to bring a civil cause of action against the violator in a court of competent jurisdiction. In the case of an individual who has not attained 18 or is incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the individual or representative of the individual's estate, another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by the court, may assume the individual's rights under th is bill. This bill provides that in a civil action brought pursuant to this bill, an individual may recover the following:  Either (i) the actual damages sustained by the individual as a result of the violation, including damages for emotional distress, or (ii) liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000.  Punitive damages.  The cost of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Additionally, in such a civil action, a court may, in addition to any other relief available at law, order equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or a permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease operation of the artificial intelligence until the violative conduct has been corrected. A restraining or der or injunction may require that the defendant provide new training for the artificial intelligence that does not violate this bill. APPLICABILITY This bill applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2026. ON APRIL 23, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #3 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1493, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #3 rewrites the bill to, instead, establish the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Council ("council""). The council must study (i) safety concerns confronting this state, and the children of this state resulting from the prolifera tion of AI systems and programs from the ubiquity of online access and content; (ii) potential solutions for and protections from the concerns identified; and (iii) methods of regulating AI and online access utilized by other states. In order to assist t he council in its study, the council may request information and feedback from one or more third parties with specialized knowledge in, or experience with, one or more of the subject areas described above. This amendment requires the council to submit a report to the speakers of the senate and the house of representatives, the commerce and labor committee of the senate, and the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over commerce. Suc h report must be submitted by December 31, 2026, and must include the council's recommendations for legislation or modification of existing rules and policies based on the study's findings. ON APRIL 23, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1493 FOR HOUSE BILL 1455, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #4, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1493, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #4 rewrites this bill to require TACIR to study artificial intelligence and submit a report to the governor and both speakers by January 31, 2027. The full text of this amendment describes seven components of the study. ON APRIL 23, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #4."