Florida Sen. Tom Leake has formally introduced the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, a set of regulations regarding AI technology requested by Governor Ron DeSantis. As of Tuesday, Leake’s bill has been filed in the Florida Senate without a co-sponsor.
Leek’s bill outlines several proposals aimed at promoting transparency and protecting consumers as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in media and business. DeSantis and Leake appear to be taking a stand against President Donald Trump, who has taken steps to limit states’ rights to regulate AI.
“The rise of AI is the most important economic and cultural shift happening right now,” DeSantis said in November. “Denying people the ability to distribute these technologies in a productive way through self-governance is federal overreach and allows technology companies to run amok.”
AI chatbots are only allowed to communicate with minors with parental approval, with adult content safeguards in place. Also, at least every hour, the program should notify you that it is an AI and remind your child to stop interacting. This is based on a law passed in 2024 that established minimum age requirements for social media use and age verification on sites with explicit content.
Leake’s bill also includes a provision that would prohibit AI from commercially using the names, images, or likenesses of Florida residents without their consent. Disclosures are required when consumers interact with AI and when AI is used for political communications.
The set of rules outlined in the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights closely mirrors the priorities DeSantis set out this month. The governor called his policy proposal an “AI Bill of Rights” and mentioned several restrictions that would become law if Leake’s bill passes.
Although the two sides have not yet come into direct conflict, DeSantis’ stance on AI is quite different from President Donald Trump’s. The president signed an executive order this month that would reduce states’ ability to regulate AI, setting the stage for the Justice Department to sue states that go too far. DeSantis said he did not expect a conflict between his proposal and the Trump administration.
Tom Leake is a freshman member of the Florida Senate, elected in November 2024 to represent the state’s 7th Senate District. A Republican, he represents Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, along with parts of Volusia County. Previously, Mr. Leake served for eight years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in Florida’s 25th Congressional District.
