SETTING THE STAGE: CONNECTICUT SENATE BILL 2 LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AI IN THE STATES

by Tatiana Rice - Future of Privacy Forum

Last night, on April 24, the Connecticut Senate passed SB 2, marking a significant step toward comprehensive AI regulation in the United States. This comprehensive, risk-based approach has emerged as a leading state legislative framework for AI regulation. If enacted, SB 2 would stand as the first piece of legislation in the United States governing the private-sector development and deployment of AI with comparable scale to the EU AI Act. The law would become effective February 1, 2026. 

Read more: https://fpf.org/blog/setting-the-stage-connecticut-senate-bill-2-lays-the-groundwork-for-responsible-ai-in-the-states/?mkt_tok=MTM4LUVaTS0wNDIAAAGStS6CzVVML2VtJf5Zhz1I-t0eZp3fW2HB5yTtRY1pPvE5_owKZI3pue3Qw4hAu3K3cJXmPdLdKwD6q4JVwo-I3hSvgOKvFLcr3D9hjxJVzFq_

Massachusetts AG Campbell Issues Advisory on Artificial Intelligence

by Foley Hoag LLP, Daniel Carlston - JDSupra

Last month, we recapped the recent activity of state Attorneys General in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, including relevant enforcement actions, state legislative and policy development, and coalition letters to Congress and federal agencies.

On April 16, Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell issued a legal advisory providing guidance to developers, suppliers, and users of AI on their obligations under state and federal consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data security laws. Among other things, the advisory describes:

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/massachusetts-ag-campbell-issues-8744815/

Massachusetts Set to Restrict Employers from Using Credit Checks in Making Employment Decisions

Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 14, 2024, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation that would prohibit employers from obtaining or using a true credit report for employment purposes. The proposed law, which includes only limited exceptions, would be one of the most restrictive of its kind in the country. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by Governor Maura Healey. If passed, the law would go into effect January 1, 2025.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/massachusetts-set-to-restrict-employers-3349520/

Utah Becomes First State To Enact AI-Centric Consumer Protection Law

By: Skadden Publication / AI Insights, Stuart D. Levi, William E. Ridgway, David A. Simon, Meredith C. Slawe, Anita Oh

On March 13, 2024, Utah enacted the Utah Artificial Intelligence Policy Act (UAIP), which imposes certain disclosure requirements on entities using generative AI tools with their customers, and limits an entity’s ability to “blame” generative AI for statements or acts that constitute consumer protection violations.

Companies subject to the UAIP will need to ensure they have the appropriate disclosure regime in place, and other companies should consider whether the UAIP approach is a good business practice they should adopt. The UAIP goes into effect on May 1, 2024.

Read more: https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2024/04/utah-becomes-first-state

Florida Legislation Will Increase Background Screening for Healthcare Professionals

by Mia McKown, Eddie Williams III - JD Supra

House Bill 975, if signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will have a significant impact on the Florida criminal background screening requirements for healthcare professionals and facilities. Currently, only certain healthcare professionals are required to undergo background screening as a requirement for licensure. Such professionals include the following: allopathic and osteopathic physicians, interns and fellows, physician assistants, chiropractic physicians and assistants, orthotists and prosthetists, podiatric physicians and podiatric x-ray assistants, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, athletic trainers and massage therapists. However, the majority of healthcare professionals licensed by the Florida Department of Health are not required to undergo background screening as part of their initial licensure requirements.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/florida-legislation-will-increase-2594449/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

Japan OKs bill on background checks for work involving children

by Yukana Inoue - The Japan Times

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill that aims to protect young children from sexual assault by requiring those seeking employment in fields involving children to undergo background checks that go back 20 years.

The widely discussed system has been called the Japanese version of the U.K.’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Read more: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/03/19/japan/politics/japanese-dbs/

Hawaii Joint House Panels Advance Senate-Passed Marijuana Legalization Bill With Amendments Addressing Advocates’ Concerns

by Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment

Lawmakers at a joint legislative hearing in Hawaii’s House of Representatives have advanced a Senate-passed bill that would legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana.

The proposal, SB 3335, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates and would establish a framework for licensed, regulated sales.

Read more: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/hawaii-joint-house-panels-advance-senate-passed-marijuana-legalization-bill-despite-concerns-from-advocates/

Oregon Legislators Pass Bill To Revert Drug Decriminalization Measures

by Alonzo Martinez - Forbes

In response to the escalating overdose crisis, Oregon legislators have approved House Bill 4002, which reverts the state's pioneering drug decriminalization efforts, marking a significant shift in drug possession laws. The bill, which passed with a 21-8 vote in the Senate and 51-7 in the House, is now awaiting the signature of Governor Tina Kotek, who has indicated openness to rolling back decriminalization.

Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alonzomartinez/2024/03/04/oregon-legislators-pass-bill-to-revert-drug-decriminalization-measures/?sh=113b0bd959bc

Germany's parliament votes to liberalize rules on marijuana possession and allow 'cannabis clubs'

by Geir Moulson - CTV News

BERLIN - German lawmakers on Friday approved a government plan to liberalize rules on cannabis, paving the way for the country to decriminalize limited amounts of marijuana and allow members of “cannabis clubs” to buy it for recreational purposes.

Parliament's lower house, or Bundestag, backed the legislation, a prominent reform project of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's socially liberal governing coalition, by 407 votes to 226. There were four abstentions.

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/germany-s-parliament-votes-to-liberalize-rules-on-marijuana-possession-and-allow-cannabis-clubs-1.6780634

California Privacy Regulations To Be Enforced Immediately!

by David Klein, Kleing Moynihan Turco LLP - JDSupra

On February 9, 2024, the Third Appellate District of California vacated a trial court decision, holding that the California Privacy Protection Agency (“CPPA”) could immediately begin enforcing the current version of the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). As our readers are aware, the CCPA went into effect on January 1, 2022, with the aim of protecting the privacy of California consumers, in large part, by giving them “more control” over the collection, use, and sharing of their personal information.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/california-privacy-regulations-to-be-3687218/