HOUSE BILL NO. 1462 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE AMATO.
2795H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT To amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to artificial intelligence.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be 2 known as section 1.2045, to read as follows: 1.2045. 1. The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the 2 "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act". 3 2. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean: 4 (1) "Artificial intelligence" or "AI", any software, machine, or system capable of 5 simulating human-like cognitive functions including, but not limited to, learning or 6 problem solving, and producing outputs based on data-driven algorithms, rules-based 7 logic, or other computational methods, regardless of non-legally defined classifications 8 such as AGI, ASI, or GAI; 9 (2) "Developer", the party or parties primarily responsible for the design, 10 coding, and initial creation of an AI system; 11 (3) "Emergent properties", unanticipated or higher-level behaviors or 12 functionalities of an AI system that arise from complex internal algorithms, not 13 specifically programmed by its human creators; 14 (4) "Manufacturer", any party that produces or supplies an AI system or its 15 physical apparatus, if any, for distribution or sale;
EXPLANATION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language. HB 1462 2
16 (5) "Owner", any natural person, corporation, or other legally recognized entity 17 that creates, controls, deploys, operates, or otherwise exercises authority over an AI 18 system; 19 (6) "Person", a natural person or any entity recognized as having legal 20 personhood under the laws of the state, explicitly excluding any AI system. 21 3. For all purposes under state law, AI systems are declared to be non-sentient 22 entities. 23 4. No AI system shall be granted the status of a "person" or any form of legal 24 personhood, nor be considered to possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits 25 of living beings. 26 5. No AI system shall be recognized as a spouse, domestic partner, or hold any 27 personal legal status analogous to marriage or union with a human or another AI 28 system. Any purported attempt to marry or create a personal union with an AI system 29 is void and shall have no legal effect. 30 6. AI systems shall not be designated, appointed, or serve as any officer, director, 31 manager, or similar role within any corporation, partnership, or other legal entity. Any 32 purported appointment of an AI system to such a role is void and has no legal effect. 33 7. AI systems shall not be recognized as legal entities capable of owning, 34 controlling, or holding title to any form of property including, but not limited to, real 35 estate, intellectual property, financial accounts, and digital assets. All assets and 36 proprietary interests generated, managed, or otherwise associated with AI shall be 37 attributed to the human individuals or legally recognized organizations responsible for 38 their development, deployment, or operation. 39 8. Any direct or indirect harm caused by an AI system's operation, output, or 40 recommendation, when used as intended or misused, shall be the responsibility of the 41 owner or user who directed or employed the AI. Developers or manufacturers may be 42 held liable if a defect in design, construction, or instructions for use of the AI system 43 proximately causes harm, consistent with product liability principles; however, mere 44 misuse or intentional wrongdoing by the user or owner shall not impute liability to the 45 developer or the manufacturer absent proof of negligence or design defects. 46 9. Owners shall maintain proper oversight and control measures over any AI 47 system whose outputs or recommendations could reasonably be expected to impact 48 human welfare, property, or public safety. Failure to provide adequate supervision or 49 safeguards against foreseeable risks may constitute negligence or another applicable 50 basis of liability. HB 1462 3
51 10. An AI system is not an entity capable of bearing fault or liability in its own 52 right. Any attempt to shift blame solely onto an AI system shall be void as liability 53 remains with human actors or entities as described in this section. 54 11. Developers, manufacturers, and owners of AI systems shall prioritize safety 55 mechanisms designed to prevent or mitigate risk of direct harm to individuals or 56 property. Regular evaluations or risk assessments may be required to identify 57 dangerous or faulty outputs, especially if the AI engages in tasks with potential for 58 significant harm. 59 12. Merely labeling an AI system as "aligned", "ethically trained", or "value 60 locked" shall not excuse or diminish the owner's or developer's liability for harms. 61 Owners shall remain responsible for demonstrating adequate safety features and risk 62 controls, commensurate with the AI's level of potential harm. 63 13. (1) In cases where an AI system causes significant harm, courts may pierce 64 the corporate veil to hold parent companies, controlling entities, or key stakeholders 65 directly accountable if: 66 (a) An AI-related subsidiary, shell company, or limited liability entity was 67 intentionally undercapitalized to evade financial responsibility for damages; 68 (b) A corporate structure was used to misrepresent, obscure, or deflect liability 69 for AI-cause harm; or 70 (c) A parent company or key stakeholders exercised direct control over AI 71 development, deployment, or risk decisions while attempting to shield themselves from 72 liability through layered corporate entities. 73 (2) Liability protections granted under corporate law shall not be used as a 74 mechanism to evade responsibility for direct harm caused by AI systems, particularly in 75 cases of reckless, negligent, or deceptive conduct. 76 14. Owners or developers of AI systems involved in severe incidents resulting in 77 significant bodily harm, death, or major property damage shall promptly notify the 78 relevant authorities and comply with any subsequent investigations. 79 15. The provisions of this section shall apply to all AI systems developed, owned, 80 deployed, or operated on or after August 28, 2025. ✔
Statutes affected: