These AI bills are advancing in Pennsylvania as lawmakers eye June 30 summer recess

June 22, 2026 — Legislators in Pennsylvania are quickening their pace as their annual summer recess approaches on June 30, and we’re keeping an eye on five AI bills that are moving forward in Harrisburg.

A handful of legislators are leading the AI conversation in Pennsylvania, including Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks & Montgomery counties), Rep. Joseph Ciresi (D-Montgomery County), Rep. Chrisopher Pielli (D-Chester County), Rep. Jason Ortitay (D-Allegheny & Washington counties), and Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester & Montgomery counties).

Lawmakers are scheduled to recess for the summer at the end of business on Tuesday, June 30. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene in September and adjourn sine die in late November.

These bills are finding favor with lawmakers as the summer recess approaches.

HB 2006: The AI in Companionship apps safety act

Led by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, HB 2006 is an AI chatbot safety bill that focuses on safeguards built into companion chatbots, especially concerning suicidal ideation and self-harm.

The bill also prohibits an AI companion chatbot from claiming or advertising that the AI companion is a licensed emotional support professional or mental health professional or replaces services rendered by a licensed mental health professional.

The chatbot operator must also publish details on the self-harm protocol on the operator’s Internet website, and at least once every three hours provide a notification to the user stating, either verbally or in writing, that the user is communicating with an AI companion and not a human.

A hearing on the measure is scheduled for June 23 with the House Communications & Technology Committee.

HB 2637: A three-year ban on ai in children’s toys

HB 2637 was only recently introduced by Rep. Joseph Ciresi but it’s gathering a lot of interest around Harrisburg. The bill would enact a three-year moratorium on the sale of children’s toys that contain AI chatbots. Similar bills have been introduced in California and New York with a five-year ban on AI toys. The New York measure was approved by both chambers but stalled at the last minute and did not make it to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk. The California bill is moving forward in Sacramento.

The Pennsylvania bill is now with the House Communications & Technology Committee, which Rep. Ciresi chairs.