Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility PA House Communications & Technology Committee advances bills on AI chatbot toys, smart glasses recording

PA House Communications & Technology Committee advances bills on AI chatbot toys, smart glasses recording

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 7, 2026 | 2:05 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – Smart glasses would have to indicate when they are recording and would be prohibited from using biometric identification, and AI chatbots would be prohibited in children’s toys for three years, under legislation advanced today by the PA House Communications & Technology Committee, committee chair state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced.

“Protecting Pennsylvanians is our first responsibility, and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and other technologies is testing that responsibility in new ways,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “These bills set necessary, commonsense guardrails that will protect people’s privacy by keeping them from being recorded without their awareness, being identified by their biometrics on the street, prevent the manipulation of children by AI chatbots in toys, and protect people’s digital identities after death.

“Today we took an important step by becoming the first state to advance legislation to keep intrusive, privacy-wrecking and dangerous biometric identification out of smart glasses, and one of the first to protect children from the immediate and long-term harms caused by AI chatbots in toys. But while Pennsylvania has important work to do on safety and responsible technological development, we cannot do this alone. That’s why we are also urging the federal government to put safety guardrails on the development of frontier AI models.”

The committee advanced the following measures today:

  • House Bill 2603 (Ciresi) – Would require wearable recording devices, including smart glasses, to have an indicator that shows when the device is capturing sound or video, and prohibits them from using biometric identification to identify other people without their consent.
  • House Bill 2637 (Ciresi) – Would create a three-year moratorium on the manufacture, distribution and sale of children’s toys containing AI chatbots.
  • House Bill 2666 (Waxman) – Would require consent for social media platforms to create AI-driven content for a user after his or her death.
  • House Resolution 637 (Ciresi, Ortitay) – Urges the federal government to establish safety guardrails on the development of frontier AI models.

"Advancing this bill out of committee is an important step toward ensuring Pennsylvanians retain control over their digital identities," said State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila, the sponsor of H.B. 2666. "As technology evolves, so must our protections. This legislation establishes clear rules to prevent misuse of personal data and to safeguard families from unauthorized AI recreations after a loved one's passing."

The legislation now moves to the full House for a vote.