News Hawaii AI Bills Companion Deepfake 2026

April 14, 2026 (updated April 26) — Hawaii is advancing three significant AI bills through the 2026 legislative session, targeting AI companion safety for minors, AI operator disclosure requirements, and deepfake protections with advertising disclosure. All three bills have passed both chambers and are now in reconciliation as the session approaches its May 2, 2026 deadline.

HB 1782: AI Companion Safeguards for Minors

HB 1782 establishes a regulatory framework for interactions between AI companion systems and conversational AI services with users under 18. Notably, it defines "minor" as anyone under 18, broader than the federal COPPA threshold of 13 years.

Key provisions:

• AI providers that know or reasonably should know a user is a minor must clearly and conspicuously disclose the AI's non-human nature
• Crisis support protocols directing minors showing self-harm ideation to appropriate resources
• Data security requirements for minor user data
• Age verification and parental consent in specified cases
• Parental tools for setting time limits on AI companion use
• Measures to prevent generation of sexually explicit content for minors
• Oversight and penalties for violations

Legislative history: The bill passed the House on March 10, 2026, and the Senate approved it with amendments on April 14, 2026 (31-0). The House disagreed with Senate amendments and returned the bill. As of April 24, 2026, the bill is in reconciliation between the chambers.

Industry group CCIA has opposed the bill, arguing that its broad definitions could chill innovation.

SB 3001: AI Operator Disclosure and Safety Act

SB 3001, the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act, targets operators of conversational AI services including chatbots, tutoring tools, and mental health apps.

Key provisions:

• Clear disclosure to users that they are interacting with AI, not a human
• Heightened safeguards for known or reasonably certain minor users, including conspicuous AI disclosure
• Restrictions on interactions with minor users to prevent harm
• Protocols to prevent suicidal ideation generated through AI interactions

Legislative history: The bill passed the Senate and advanced through the House Economic Development and Consumer Protection committee with a 6-0 vote in March 2026. The House passed the bill with amendments, but the Senate disagreed with the House amendments. As of April 24, 2026, the bill is in reconciliation.

HB 2137: Deepfake and Synthetic Performer Protections

HB 2137 adds a new chapter to the Hawaii Revised Statutes to regulate AI-generated content including realistic digital imitations, synthetic performers in advertising, and deepfake protections.

Key provisions:

• Part I: Regulates AI realistic digital imitations and provides deepfake protections, targeting unauthorized depictions
• Part II: Requires disclosure of synthetic performers in advertisements (e.g., AI-generated or altered images/videos of performers)
• Civil fines for failure to disclose synthetic performers in advertising
• Civil remedies for individuals harmed by unauthorized AI uses, including damages and injunctions

Legislative history: Introduced February 13, 2026, the bill advanced through House committees and passed to the Senate. The Senate named conferees on April 20, 2026, with a conference committee meeting scheduled for April 24, 2026. As of April 24, the bill has been approved by both chambers and is in reconciliation.

Significance

Hawaii's three-bill AI package represents one of the most comprehensive state-level AI legislative efforts of 2026, addressing chatbot safety, AI disclosure, and synthetic media in a single session. All three bills have now passed both chambers and are in reconciliation, signaling broad legislative support for AI regulation. The reconciliation process may produce amendments to resolve differences between House and Senate versions. Hawaii's legislative session ends May 2, 2026, creating urgency for final passage.

The bills parallel similar efforts in other states: HB 1782 aligns with Tennessee's CHAT Act and Nebraska's Conversational AI Safety Act on chatbot safety, while HB 2137's synthetic performer disclosure provisions mirror California's advertising transparency laws and Tennessee's ELVIS Act approach to protecting likenesses.