Bill · S. 2937· Senate(119-S-2937)
AI LEAD Act
- Introduced
- 9/29/2025
- Last activity
- 9/29/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S6836-6838)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The AI LEAD Act establishes legal standards and a federal products liability framework for advanced artificial intelligence products. It creates liability rules for both developers and deployers when their AI systems cause harm to businesses or consumers. The bill outlines specific conditions under which developers are liable for defective designs, inadequate warnings, or breaches of express warranties. It also prohibits contracts that attempt to unfairly limit these liabilities. Additionally, the Act requires foreign AI developers to designate a permanent resident agent in the United States for legal service.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The bill establishes a federal products liability framework to protect consumers from harms caused by defective AI systems.
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill presumes that risks of AI products are not open and obvious to users under the age of 18.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill pauses the statute of limitations for people under a legal disability, including those with mental or intellectual disabilities.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
Small businesses acting as deployers may face liability for harms if the original developer is insolvent or outside of court jurisdiction.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Harm: The bill establishes that developers can be held liable for failures in design, inadequate instructions or warnings, or breaches of express warranties (Section 101). This can protect people from injuries, financial loss, or psychological anguish caused by AI products.
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Protection for Minors: The Act includes a provision that presumes risks are not "open and obvious" to users under the age of 18, which provides an extra layer of protection for children (Section 101(c)(4)(B)).
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Expanded Rights for Victims: Individuals or classes of persons have the right to bring civil actions to seek damages, restitution, or compensation (Section 301).
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Safety for People with Disabilities: The period of limitations for filing a lawsuit is paused (tolled) for those under a legal disability, such as those with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities, until they are no longer under that disability (Section 303(b)).
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Ensuring Recourse Against Foreign Companies: By requiring foreign developers to designate a permanent resident agent in the U.S., the law ensures that people have a way to serve legal process against international entities (Section 401).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens on Deployers: Individuals or companies that use or operate AI products (deployers) may be held liable if they make substantial modifications or intentionally misuse the product (Section 102).
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Uncertainty for Small Businesses/Deployers: A deployer could be held liable for the same extent as a developer if the developer is insolvent or outside the court's jurisdiction (Section 302(a)).
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Contractual Restrictions: Developers are prohibited from using contracts or terms and conditions to waive rights or unreasonably limit their liability, which restricts how these parties can structure their business agreements (Section 201).
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Retrospective Application: The Act applies to any liability action commenced on or after the date of enactment, regardless of whether the harm or conduct occurred before the law was passed (Section 501).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+6Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7Improves Small Business Support-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- 3/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S6836-6838)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont