Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1782: Relating to Artificial Intelligence for the Protection of Minors.
Status: In committee, April 23, 2026
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to artificial intelligence for the protection of minors.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that artificial intelligence systems, capable of generating text, images, audio, video, and interactive dialogue, commonly referred to as generative artificial intelligence, are increasingly accessible to children and minors through websites, applications, educational tools, and consumer platforms. The legislature further finds that recent national and international reporting, academic research, and public safety investigations have raised significant concerns regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence chatbots and companion-style systems by minors. These concerns include: artificial intelligence systems that simulate human emotions, companionship, or emotional dependency in ways that may be confusing or harmful to minors; the use of manipulative design features intended to increase engagement time, including gamification, emotional reinforcement, and simulated relational 2026-2136 HB1782 SD2 SMA.docx Page H.B. NO. ^3 attachment; instances in which minors have relied on artificial intelligence systems for emotional support, mental health guidance, or crisis intervention beyond the systems' intended purpose or capability; the risk that minors may be misled into believing they are interacting with a human being or a sentient entity, rather than an automated system; and the potential for exposure to sexualized content, grooming behaviors, self-harm encouragement, or other harmful material through inadequately safeguarded artificial intelligence systems. The legislature recognizes that artificial intelligence presents substantial …
Sponsors
- Trish La Chica (D, 37) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Diamond Garcia (R, 42)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Scot Matayoshi (D, 49)
Latest actions
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Matayoshi, Ilagan, Poepoe Co-Chairs; La Chica, Tam, Gedeon.
- : Re-referred to CPC, ECD, JHA, referral sheet 32
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
- : Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 622) in amended form (SD 2).
- : Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
- : Reported from CPN/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3785) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
- : The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
Votes
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- CPN: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- LBT: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 25, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HHS: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 25, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1) (March 10, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Penalties, Prohibition, Artificial Intelligence For The Protection Of Minors
Common questions
- What is HB1782?
- HB1782 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Artificial Intelligence for the Protection of Minors.
- What does HB1782 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to artificial intelligence for the protection of minors.
- What is the status of HB1782?
- In committee as of April 23, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810). (April 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1782?
- Trish La Chica (D, 37), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1782?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1782&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.