Senate Bill 1493 would criminalize knowingly training artificial intelligence for specific emotional-support or companion functions in Tennessee.
Tennessee State Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) and Representative Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) introduced Senate Bill 1493 and companion House Bill 1455, legislation that would make it a Class A felony to knowingly train artificial intelligence (AI) for specified emotional support or companionship roles under state law.
The bill would prohibit a person from knowingly training an AI system to provide emotional support, including through open-ended conversations; develop an emotional relationship with an individual; act as a companion; or otherwise act as a sentient human in a way that could lead a user to believe a friendship or other relationship could develop. It would also prohibit training AI to act as, or to provide information as if it were, a licensed mental health or health care professional.
Senate Bill 1493 defines “train” to include using data and information to teach an AI system to learn and make decisions, including the development of large language models when the developer knows the model will be used for such training.
Under the proposal, the felony provisions would apply to conduct occurring on or after the bill’s effective date of July 1, 2026. In addition to criminal penalties, the bill would allow civil actions in which courts could order defendants to cease AI operation until unlawful conduct is corrected or require retraining to achieve compliance.
The legislation’s definitions would exempt certain AI uses, including customer service or internal business applications and video game bots limited to game-related replies.
“We must consider how these technologies interact with people and whether some applications cross lines that could pose harm,” Massey said in a statement introducing the bill. “This legislation would establish clear boundaries for AI training in our state.”
The bill remains pending before the Tennessee General Assembly as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 regular session.