News-April-14-2026
April 14, 2026 — Daily digest of AI law and policy developments.
This digest consolidates 2 stories from April 14, 2026.
Contents
1. Hawaii Advances Three AI Bills Through Legislature 2. Nebraska Governor Signs Conversational AI Safety Act
Hawaii Advances Three AI Bills Through Legislature
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 — Establishes a regulatory framework for interactions between AI companion systems and users under 18. Defines "minor" as anyone under 18, broader than federal COPPA threshold of 13 years. Key provisions include disclosure requirements, crisis support protocols, data security requirements, parental tools for time limits, and measures to prevent generation of sexually explicit content for minors. Industry group CCIA has opposed the bill.
SB 3001: AI Operator Disclosure and Safety Act — Targets operators of conversational AI services including chatbots, tutoring tools, and mental health apps. Mandates clear disclosure that users are interacting with AI, with heightened safeguards for minor users and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation.
HB 2137: Deepfake and Synthetic Performer Protections — Regulates AI-generated content including realistic digital imitations, synthetic performers in advertising, and deepfake protections. Requires disclosure of synthetic performers in advertisements and provides civil remedies for individuals harmed by unauthorized AI uses.
Hawaii's three-bill AI package represents one of the most comprehensive state-level AI legislative efforts of 2026. All three bills have passed both chambers and are in reconciliation, signaling broad legislative support for AI regulation.
See full article: April 14, 2026 — Hawaii Advances Three AI Bills
Nebraska Governor Signs Conversational AI Safety Act
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed LB 1185, the Conversational Artificial Intelligence Safety Act, into law on April 14, 2026, establishing comprehensive consumer protections for publicly accessible conversational AI services. The legislation, which becomes operative July 1, 2027, addresses growing concerns about AI companions, chatbots that simulate human interaction, and their potential harms to minors and vulnerable users.
Key provisions:
- Disclosure Requirements: Operators must clearly disclose when users are interacting with AI if a reasonable person could be misled. For minors under 18, disclosures must appear as persistent visible disclaimer or at session start and every three hours.
- Prohibited Content for Minors: Prohibits using conversational AI to produce sexually explicit depictions involving minors, encourage sexual conduct, or simulate human-like interactions through sentience claims, emotional dependence, romantic/sexual innuendos, or adult-minor role-play.
- Mental Health and Crisis Response: Operators cannot misrepresent AI services as mental health care and must adopt protocols to respond to suicidal ideation prompts by referring users to crisis services.
- Enforcement: Nebraska Attorney General has exclusive enforcement authority with safe harbor for model developers.
The legislation becomes operative on July 1, 2027, giving operators approximately 15 months to implement compliance measures.
LB 1185 represents Nebraska's entry into the growing field of "AI companion" regulation, joining states like California, Oregon, and Tennessee that have enacted or are considering laws targeting AI chatbots and virtual companions.
See full article: April 14, 2026 — Nebraska Signs Conversational AI Safety Act