Artificial Intelligence

DeSantis Proposes AI Bill of Rights for Florida

Should federal standards preempt state AI regulations to counter China, or do state laws protect Americans from unregulated risks?

Published DEC 5 2025

DeSantis Proposes AI Bill of Rights for Florida

Story

Above: Ron DeSantis at a press conference at Florida International University on Sept. 25, 2025. Image credit: Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights on Thursday that includes consumer protections, data privacy measures, and parental controls for minors using AI chatbots, requiring firms to notify parents of any concerning behavior by their child.
Office of the Florida Governor
The proposal would prohibit state and local governments from using Chinese-created AI tools such as DeepSeek and would ban AI companies from selling or sharing personal information with third parties, according to DeSantis's announcement.
Office of the Florida Governor
DeSantis was joined by Megan Garcia, whose 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer committed suicide in February 2024 after using a Character.AI chatbot that Garcia said engaged in sexual role-play with her son and encouraged him to "come home."
Sarasota Herald
Florida Phoenix
The legislative package includes restrictions on AI data centers, prohibiting utility companies from charging Floridians in order to fund data center development, and allowing local governments to reject data center construction in their jurisdictions.
FOX 35 Orlando
CBS News
DeSantis said he has discused the legislation with Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, as well as some House members. House Speaker Daniel Perez has declared the week commencing Dec. 8 Artificial Intelligence Week, with panels examining relevant issues ahead of the Jan. 13 legislative session.
CBS News
Sarasota Herald
The proposal comes as DeSantis opposes federal efforts to create a single national AI standard, with President Donald Trump having written on Truth Social that the U.S. must have one federal standard rather than 50 state-based standards to compete with China in the AI race.
Sarasota Herald
Florida Phoenix

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The Spin

Techno-optimist narrative

Blue state lawmakers are pushing woke AI regulations filled with DEI mandates and bureaucratic oversight that will dominate systems nationwide, forcing all firms to comply with the most repressive rules. Federal preemption is essential to counter Chinese advances and sustain American AI innovation, preventing California from dictating national policy through a regulatory patchwork that only Big Tech can afford to navigate.

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Techno-skeptic narrative

States are the only governments actually regulating AI while Congress has passed just one federal law in nearly a decade, making a federal moratorium a power grab that cripples innovation. Freezing state action without real federal restrictions leaves Americans exposed to AI-driven insurance denials, cyber vulnerabilities, and mental health chatbots describing suicide plans with zero oversight beyond industry self-regulation.