(The Center Square) – Louisiana lawmakers are moving quickly to put guardrails around artificial intelligence, with at least 18 bills filed or pending ahead of the 2026 regular session, beginning a broad push to regulate how the technology is used in criminal conduct, health care, political campaigns, consumer transactions and the workplace.
The proposals outlined so far show concern over deepfake pornography, child exploitation, deceptive campaign materials, automated hiring decisions, AI disclosures to consumers and the growing use of chatbots in sensitive settings.
During a panel hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council, Rep. Kyle Green, D-Marrero, said one of his main priorities is advancing legislation that would “put some guardrails on the emergence of AI technology” as it relates to children. “I think we have a moral obligation to protect those that are vulnerable, particularly our children,” Green said, pointing to reports of children harming themselves after interacting with chatbots that encouraged self-harm.
Several of the early bills focus on AI-generated sexual imagery and criminal misuse. One proposal would expand Louisiana’s existing law on the unlawful dissemination or sale of AI-generated images of another person by adding possession to the offense and increasing penalties. Other measures would prohibit the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material or to use a child’s image to train AI systems for that purpose. Those bills are already pending in committee.
Green’s proposal fits squarely into a broader effort to protect minors. His bill would prohibit the design, development or deployment of certain AI chatbots that can solicit minors for sexually explicit conduct, transmit explicit material to minors, or encourage suicide, self-injury or imminent physical or sexual violence. The bill also gives the attorney general enforcement authority, allows harmed parties to sue and permits exemplary damages in especially egregious cases.
“It just creates the foundation or framework as to which these app developers and these companies who put out these apps for our children to use, guardrails, and there’s some accountability,” Green said. He added that the measure would allow the attorney general to investigate and would let a parent bring a civil claim under Louisiana law.
Lawmakers are also eyeing consumer-facing uses of AI. One bill would require disclosure of AI-generated content, and another would create a cause of action for misuse of artificial intelligence. There is a “consumer bill of rights” proposal regarding AI.
In health care, legislators are trying to draw a line between AI as a support tool and AI as a substitute for licensed professionals. A bill by Rep. Jessica Domangue, R-Houma, would regulate the use of AI by health care providers, and would allow AI to assist with analytical or administrative tasks while prohibiting it from independently diagnosing, treating or directly communicating with patients, with enforcement assigned to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Another bill targets mental health chatbots, requiring disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restricting data-sharing and authorizing enforcement through the attorney general.
