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SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 859
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MOON.
4600S.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 AGI, ASI, or GAI; 12
(2) "Developer", the party or parties primarily 13
responsible for the design, coding, and initial creation of 14
an AI system; 15
(3) "Emergent properties", unanticipated or higher- 16
level behaviors or functionalities of an AI system that 17
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arise from complex internal algorithms, not specifically 18
programmed by its human creators; 19
(4) "Manufacturer", any party that produces or 20
supplies an AI system or its physical apparatus, if any, for 21
distribution or sale; 22
(5) "Owner", any natural person, corporation, or other 23
legally recognized entity that creates, controls, deploys, 24
operates, or otherwise exercises authority over an AI system; 25
(6) "Person", a natural person or any entity 26
recognized as having legal personhood under the laws of the 27
state, explicitly excluding any AI system. 28
3. For all purposes under state law, AI systems are 29
declared to be non-sentient entities. 30
4. No AI system shall be granted the status of a 31
person or any form of legal personhood, nor be considered to 32
possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits of 33
living beings. 34
5. No AI system shall be recognized as a spouse, 35
domestic partner, or hold any personal legal status 36
analogous to marriage or union with a human or another AI 37
system. Any purported attempt to marry or create a personal 38
union with an AI system is void and shall have no legal 39
effect. 40
6. AI systems shall not be designated, appointed, or 41
serve as any officer, director, manager, or similar role 42
within any corporation, partnership, or other legal entity. 43
Any purported appointment of an AI system to such a role is 44
void and has no legal effect. 45
7. AI systems shall not be recognized as legal 46
entities capable of owning, controlling, or holding title to 47
any form of property including, but not limited to, real 48
estate, intellectual property, financial accounts, and 49
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digital assets. All assets and proprietary interests 50
generated, managed, or otherwise associated with AI shall be 51
attributed to the human individuals or legally recognized 52
organizations responsible for their development, deployment, 53
or operation. 54
8. Any direct or indirect harm caused by an AI 55
system's operation, output, or recommendation, when used as 56
intended or misused, shall be the responsibility of the 57
owner or user who directed or employed the AI. Developers 58
or manufacturers may be held liable if a defect in design, 59
construction, or instructions for use of the AI system 60
proximately causes harm, consistent with product liability 61
principles; however, mere misuse or intentional wrongdoing 62
by the user or owner shall not impute liability to the 63
developer or the manufacturer absent proof of negligence or 64
design defects. 65
9. Owners shall maintain proper oversight and control 66
measures over any AI system whose outputs or recommendations 67
could reasonably be expected to impact human welfare, 68
property, or public safety. Failure to provide adequate 69
supervision or safeguards against foreseeable risks may 70
constitute negligence or another applicable basis of 71
liability. 72
10. An AI system is not an entity capable of bearing 73
fault or liability in its own right. Any attempt to shift 74
blame solely onto an AI system shall be void as liability 75
remains with human actors or entities as described in this 76
section. 77
11. Developers, manufacturers, and owners of AI 78
systems shall prioritize safety mechanisms designed to 79
prevent or mitigate risk of direct harm to individuals or 80
property. Regular evaluations or risk assessments may be 81
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required to identify dangerous or faulty outputs, especially 82
if the AI engages in tasks with potential for significant 83
harm. 84
12. Merely labeling an AI system as "aligned", 85
"ethically trained", or "value locked" shall not excuse or 86
diminish the owner's or developer's liability for harms. 87
Owners shall remain responsible for demonstrating adequate 88
safety features and risk controls, commensurate with the 89
AI's level of potential harm. 90
13. (1) In cases where an AI system causes 91
significant harm, courts may pierce the corporate veil to 92
hold parent companies, controlling entities, or key 93
stakeholders directly accountable if: 94
(a) An AI-related subsidiary, shell company, or 95
limited liability entity was intentionally undercapitalized 96
to evade financial responsibility for damages; 97
(b) A corporate structure was used to misrepresent, 98
obscure, or deflect liability for AI-cause harm; or 99
(c) A parent company or key stakeholders exercised 100
direct control over AI development, deployment, or risk 101
decisions while attempting to shield themselves from 102
liability through layered corporate entities. 103
(2) Liability protections granted under corporate law 104
shall not be used as a mechanism to evade responsibility for 105
direct harm caused by AI systems, particularly in cases of 106
reckless, negligent, or deceptive conduct. 107
14. Owners or developers of AI systems involved in 108
severe incidents resulting in significant bodily harm, 109
death, or major property damage shall promptly notify the 110
relevant authorities and comply with any subsequent 111
investigations. 112
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15. The provisions of this section shall apply to all 113
AI systems developed, owned, deployed, or operated on or 114
after August 28, 2026. 115
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