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SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 1474
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR NICOLA.
6352S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary
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 1
one new section, to be known as section 1.2045, to read as 2
follows:3
1.2045. 1. The provisions of this section shall be 1
known and may be cited as the "AI Non-Sentience and 2
Responsibility Act". 3
2. For purposes of this section, the following terms 4
mean: 5
(1) "Artificial intelligence" or "AI", any software, 6
machine, or system capable of simulating human-like 7
cognitive functions including, but not limited to, learning 8
or problem solving, and producing outputs based on data- 9
driven algorithms, rules-based logic, or other computational 10
methods, regardless of non-legally defined classifications 11
such as artificial general intelligence (AGI), artificial 12
superintelligence (ASI), or generative artificial 13
intelligence (GAI); 14
(2) "Developer", the party or parties primarily 15
responsible for the design, coding, and initial creation of 16
an AI system; 17
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(3) "Emergent properties", unanticipated or higher- 18
level behaviors or functionalities of an AI system that 19
arise from complex internal algorithms not specifically 20
programmed by its human creators; 21
(4) "Manufacturer", any party that produces or 22
supplies an AI system or its physical apparatus, if any, for 23
distribution or sale; 24
(5) "Owner", any natural person, corporation, or other 25
legally recognized entity that creates, controls, deploys, 26
operates, or otherwise exercises authority over an AI system; 27
(6) "Person", a natural person or any entity 28
recognized as having legal personhood under the laws of the 29
state, explicitly excluding any AI system. 30
3. For all purposes under state law, AI systems are 31
declared to be non-sentient entities. 32
4. No AI system shall be granted the status of a 33
person or any form of legal personhood, nor be considered to 34
possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits of 35
living beings. 36
5. No AI system shall be recognized as a spouse, 37
domestic partner, or hold any personal legal status 38
analogous to marriage or union with a human or another AI 39
system. Any purported attempt to marry or create a personal 40
union with an AI system is void and shall have no legal 41
effect. 42
6. AI systems shall not be designated, appointed, or 43
serve as any officer, director, manager, or similar role 44
within any corporation, partnership, or other legal entity. 45
Any purported appointment of an AI system to such a role is 46
void and has no legal effect. 47
7. AI systems shall not be recognized as legal 48
entities capable of owning, controlling, or holding title to 49
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any form of property including, but not limited to, real 50
estate, intellectual property, financial accounts, and 51
digital assets. All assets and proprietary interests 52
generated, managed, or otherwise associated with AI shall be 53
attributed to the human individuals or legally recognized 54
organizations responsible for their development, deployment, 55
or operation. 56
8. Any direct or indirect harm caused by an AI 57
system's operation, output, or recommendation, when used as 58
intended or misused, shall be the responsibility of the 59
owner or user who directed or employed the AI. Developers 60
or manufacturers may be held liable if a defect in design, 61
construction, or instructions for use of the AI system 62
proximately causes harm, consistent with product liability 63
principles; however, mere misuse or intentional wrongdoing 64
by the user or owner shall not impute liability to the 65
developer or the manufacturer absent proof of negligence or 66
design defects. 67
9. Owners shall maintain proper oversight and control 68
measures over any AI system whose outputs or recommendations 69
could reasonably be expected to impact human welfare, 70
property, or public safety. Failure to provide adequate 71
supervision or safeguards against foreseeable risks may 72
constitute negligence or another applicable basis of 73
liability. 74
10. An AI system is not an entity capable of bearing 75
fault or liability in its own right. Any attempt to shift 76
blame solely onto an AI system shall be void as liability 77
remains with human actors or entities as described in this 78
section. 79
11. Developers, manufacturers, and owners of AI 80
systems shall prioritize safety mechanisms designed to 81
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prevent or mitigate risk of direct harm to individuals or 82
property. Regular evaluations or risk assessments may be 83
required to identify dangerous or faulty outputs, especially 84
if the AI engages in tasks with potential for significant 85
harm. 86
12. Merely labeling an AI system as "aligned", 87
"ethically trained", or "value locked" shall not excuse or 88
diminish the owner's or developer's liability for harms. 89
Owners shall remain responsible for demonstrating adequate 90
safety features and risk controls commensurate with the AI's 91
level of potential harm. 92
13. (1) In cases where an AI system causes 93
significant harm, courts may pierce the corporate veil to 94
hold parent companies, controlling entities, or key 95
stakeholders directly accountable if: 96
(a) An AI-related subsidiary, shell company, or 97
limited liability entity was intentionally undercapitalized 98
to evade financial responsibility for damages; 99
(b) A corporate structure was used to misrepresent, 100
obscure, or deflect liability for AI-caused harm; or 101
(c) A parent company or key stakeholders exercised 102
direct control over AI development, deployment, or risk 103
decisions while attempting to shield themselves from 104
liability through layered corporate entities. 105
(2) Liability protections granted under corporate law 106
shall not be used as a mechanism to evade responsibility for 107
direct harm caused by AI systems, particularly in cases of 108
reckless, negligent, or deceptive conduct. 109
14. Owners or developers of AI systems involved in 110
severe incidents resulting in significant bodily harm, 111
death, or major property damage shall promptly notify the 112
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relevant authorities and comply with any subsequent 113
investigations. 114
15. The provisions of this section shall apply to all 115
AI systems developed, owned, deployed, or operated on or 116
after August 28, 2026. 117
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