Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association will testify today in Maine before the Joint Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services in opposition to LD 2162, warning that the proposal could impose sweeping restrictions on artificial intelligence tools and create legal uncertainty for developers and deployers. The association cautions that the bill’s broad limitations and enforcement provisions risk limiting access to beneficial AI technologies while increasing compliance burdens.
LD 2162 would restrict individuals under 18 from accessing certain AI chatbots and social AI companions with human-like features. Additionally, the bill establishes civil penalties and a private right of action, which CCIA warns could encourage excessive litigation and discourage companies from offering innovative AI services in Maine.
The association is particularly concerned that the bill’s restrictions and liability framework may be difficult to implement in practice, especially for rapidly evolving AI technologies. CCIA cautions that rigid design requirements and broad enforcement tools could create uncertainty for developers and limit the availability of safe, age-appropriate AI tools that support education, creativity, and productivity.
CCIA supports responsible approaches to online safety and artificial intelligence policy and encourages lawmakers to pursue targeted, risk-based solutions that protect young users while providing clear, workable standards that allow innovation to continue.
The following statement can be attributed to Kyle Sepe, Northeast Region State Policy Manager for CCIA, who will testify against the bill today:
“Maine lawmakers are right to focus on protecting young people online, but LD 2162 takes an overly restrictive approach that risks limiting access to beneficial AI tools while creating significant legal uncertainty for developers. Effective AI policy should be grounded in technical realities and focused on clear, workable standards that address real risks without discouraging innovation.”
