HOUSE BILL NO. 1769 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE AMATO.
4626H.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 artificial general intelligence (AGI), artificial superintelligence (ASI), or 9 generative artificial intelligence (GAI); 10 (2) "Developer", the party or parties primarily responsible for the design, 11 coding, and initial creation of an AI system; 12 (3) "Emergent properties", unanticipated or higher-level behaviors or 13 functionalities of an AI system that arise from complex internal algorithms not 14 specifically programmed by its human creators; 15 (4) "Manufacturer", any party that produces or supplies an AI system or its 16 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 1769 2
17 (5) "Owner", any natural person, corporation, or other legally recognized entity 18 that creates, controls, deploys, operates, or otherwise exercises authority over an AI 19 system; 20 (6) "Person", a natural person or any entity recognized as having legal 21 personhood under the laws of the state, explicitly excluding any AI system. 22 3. For all purposes under state law, AI systems are declared to be non-sentient 23 entities. 24 4. No AI system shall be granted the status of a person or any form of legal 25 personhood, nor be considered to possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits 26 of living beings. 27 5. No AI system shall be recognized as a spouse, domestic partner, or hold any 28 personal legal status analogous to marriage or union with a human or another AI 29 system. Any purported attempt to marry or create a personal union with an AI system 30 is void and shall have no legal effect. 31 6. AI systems shall not be designated, appointed, or serve as any officer, director, 32 manager, or similar role within any corporation, partnership, or other legal entity. Any 33 purported appointment of an AI system to such a role is void and has no legal effect. 34 7. AI systems shall not be recognized as legal entities capable of owning, 35 controlling, or holding title to any form of property including, but not limited to, real 36 estate, intellectual property, financial accounts, and digital assets. All assets and 37 proprietary interests generated, managed, or otherwise associated with AI shall be 38 attributed to the human individuals or legally recognized organizations responsible for 39 their development, deployment, or operation. 40 8. Any direct or indirect harm caused by an AI system's operation, output, or 41 recommendation, when used as intended or misused, shall be the responsibility of the 42 owner or user who directed or employed the AI. Developers or manufacturers may be 43 held liable if a defect in design, construction, or instructions for use of the AI system 44 proximately causes harm, consistent with product liability principles; however, mere 45 misuse or intentional wrongdoing by the user or owner shall not impute liability to the 46 developer or the manufacturer absent proof of negligence or design defects. 47 9. Owners shall maintain proper oversight and control measures over any AI 48 system whose outputs or recommendations could reasonably be expected to impact 49 human welfare, property, or public safety. Failure to provide adequate supervision or 50 safeguards against foreseeable risks may constitute negligence or another applicable 51 basis of liability. HB 1769 3
52 10. An AI system is not an entity capable of bearing fault or liability in its own 53 right. Any attempt to shift blame solely onto an AI system shall be void as liability 54 remains with human actors or entities as described in this section. 55 11. Developers, manufacturers, and owners of AI systems shall prioritize safety 56 mechanisms designed to prevent or mitigate risk of direct harm to individuals or 57 property. Regular evaluations or risk assessments may be required to identify 58 dangerous or faulty outputs, especially if the AI engages in tasks with potential for 59 significant harm. 60 12. Merely labeling an AI system as "aligned", "ethically trained", or "value 61 locked" shall not excuse or diminish the owner's or developer's liability for harms. 62 Owners shall remain responsible for demonstrating adequate safety features and risk 63 controls commensurate with the AI's level of potential harm. 64 13. (1) In cases where an AI system causes significant harm, courts may pierce 65 the corporate veil to hold parent companies, controlling entities, or key stakeholders 66 directly accountable if: 67 (a) An AI-related subsidiary, shell company, or limited liability entity was 68 intentionally undercapitalized to evade financial responsibility for damages; 69 (b) A corporate structure was used to misrepresent, obscure, or deflect liability 70 for AI-caused harm; or 71 (c) A parent company or key stakeholders exercised direct control over AI 72 development, deployment, or risk decisions while attempting to shield themselves from 73 liability through layered corporate entities. 74 (2) Liability protections granted under corporate law shall not be used as a 75 mechanism to evade responsibility for direct harm caused by AI systems, particularly in 76 cases of reckless, negligent, or deceptive conduct. 77 14. Owners or developers of AI systems involved in severe incidents resulting in 78 significant bodily harm, death, or major property damage shall promptly notify the 79 relevant authorities and comply with any subsequent investigations. 80 15. The provisions of this section shall apply to all AI systems developed, owned, 81 deployed, or operated on or after August 28, 2026. ✔
Statutes affected: