Va. Legislature Passes AI Bill; CDT Says It's Ineffective
The Virginia House on Thursday agreed 52-46 to the Senate-amended version of an AI bill (HB-2094). The legislation would create requirements for the development, deployment and use of AI systems considered high-risk.
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The bill passed the Senate 21-19 on Wednesday, and the House approved it 51-47 on Feb. 4 (see 2502050005). H-2094 still needs the signature of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). If signed, it would take effect in July 2026.
The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a tech organization and nonprofit, said Virginia "should’ve passed a stronger, broader bill to ensure proper guardrails against flawed and error-prone automated systems." As approved, the legislation gives "companies a get-out-of-accountability-free card.”
“While Virginia’s AI bill has many promising transparency and accountability provisions, it includes no protections for workers and has serious, easy-to-exploit loopholes that will prevent even its consumer protections from ever being realized," said Matt Scherer, CDT senior policy counsel for workers' rights and technology. "Not only would Virginia’s AI bill fail to provide Virginians with any significant protections, it actually would allow companies to continue secretly using algorithmic systems to make life-altering decisions about everything from who gets hired to how much healthcare and rent cost."
Others, like Computer & Communications Industry Association State Director Megan Stokes, think there is still time to amend the bill. "This is an important issue and CCIA appreciates the General Assembly's decision to delay the effective date to allow for companies to work towards compliance and for legislators to make any needed changes prior to the bill going into effect," she said.
But there are supporters of the bill as well. "TechNet appreciates the work the sponsor has done on this bill and their attentiveness to industry input throughout the process," said Margaret Durkin, executive director for the mid-atlantic region. "Virginia has an opportunity to be a national leader in this space and continued conversations with industry stakeholders are critical to ensure the legislation achieves its goals without undermining innovation in the Commonwealth."
States like Connecticut (see 2412200047) are trying to enact similar laws.