Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday outlined a legislative package to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in Florida, targeting consumer protections and restrictions on the development of large-scale data centers.
The plan includes creating an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights that would establish rules for how companies and government agencies use AI systems. Under the proposal, consumers would have to be notified when interacting with AI-powered chatbots, and companies would be required to ensure that any data entered into AI systems is kept secure and private.
The legislation would also expand existing state restrictions on deepfake content and prohibit the use of an individual’s name, image, or likeness for commercial or political purposes without consent.
State and local agencies would be barred from using AI tools developed in China, including DeepSeek, citing data-security concerns. The proposal would also prohibit AI systems from providing licensed mental-health counseling and would require parental controls for minors who use large language models, allowing parents to review conversations and set usage limits.
In the insurance sector, the plan would prevent companies from using AI as the sole basis for denying or adjusting claims. Insurers that use AI tools would be required to disclose how those systems function and submit them for review by state regulators.
A separate portion of the proposal focuses on hyperscale AI data centers.
Utilities would be prohibited from passing associated costs on to ratepayers, and state and local governments would be barred from offering subsidies for their construction. Local governments would also be allowed to prevent data center development within their jurisdictions. The plan includes additional restrictions on siting, water use, and environmental impacts, including limits on construction on agricultural land and noise-abatement requirements.