DeSantis proposes an AI Bill of Rights, strict data center protections, and new safeguards for children in Florida

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Governor Ron DeSantis Proposes Citizen AI Bill of Rights and New Restrictions on Hyperscale Data Centers

December 4, 2025 – THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping proposal aimed at defining and protecting Floridians’ rights in the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence. The plan includes the creation of a Citizen Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights and new safeguards to prevent residents from bearing the financial or environmental costs associated with hyperscale AI data centers.

“Today, I proposed new legislation on artificial intelligence and AI data centers to protect Floridians’ privacy, security, and quality of life,” DeSantis said during the announcement. “Our AI proposal will establish an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights to define and safeguard Floridians’ rights—including data privacy, parental controls, consumer protections, and restrictions on AI use of an individual’s name, image, or likeness without consent.”

AI Bill of Rights: Key Protections for Floridians

The governor’s AI initiative would formalize a set of rights and consumer protections designed to ensure safe, transparent, and ethical use of artificial intelligence statewide. Major provisions include:

1. Strengthened Protections Against Deepfakes

Reenacts and reinforces Florida’s existing bans on deepfake content and explicit material created using AI, especially those involving minors.

2. Ban on Chinese AI Tools in Government

Prohibits all state and local agencies from using DeepSeek or any other AI platforms developed in China, citing risks to privacy and national security.

3. Safeguards for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

Restricts AI systems from using a person’s NIL without explicit consent, especially in political advertisements, fraudulent schemes, or product endorsements.

4. AI Disclosure Requirements

Requires businesses to notify consumers whenever they are interacting with an AI system, such as customer service chatbots.

5. Ban on AI-Powered Therapy

Blocks companies from offering licensed mental health or therapeutic services through AI. This includes AI-generated impersonations of licensed professionals.

6. Expanded Parental Controls for Minors

Allows parents to access their child’s AI conversations, set usage limits, and receive alerts if the child exhibits concerning behavior online.

7. Mandatory Data Privacy and Security

Ensures all data entered into AI systems is confidential and protected from unauthorized access.

8. Limits on Data Sharing

Prohibits companies from selling or sharing personal information with third parties, even in de-identified form, mirroring existing state privacy laws.

9. AI Regulations for Insurance Companies

Prevents insurers from using AI as the sole factor in denying or approving claims.
Requires transparency from insurers utilizing AI tools and authorizes regulators to inspect AI models for compliance with fair trade practices.

New Restrictions on Hyperscale AI Data Centers

Alongside the AI Bill of Rights, DeSantis proposed firm guidelines designed to prevent Florida residents from bearing the economic and environmental burden of large AI data center construction.

Key elements include:

1. Ratepayer Protections

Bars utilities from increasing electricity, gas, or water rates to fund data center development.

2. No Subsidies for Big Tech

Prohibits state taxpayer money from being used to support hyperscale data centers.

3. Local Government Authority

Gives local governments the power to reject data center development within their jurisdictions.

4. Safeguarding Water Resources

Ensures that water usage tied to data centers cannot harm public access to Florida’s natural water supplies.

5. Protecting Natural and Agricultural Land

Blocks data center construction on agriculturally classified land or land under greenbelt protections.
Prohibits data centers operated by foreign principals.
Requires environmental buffers and setbacks.
Directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to conduct noise abatement reviews to limit disruption to wildlife and natural areas.

A Broader Push for AI Governance in Florida

The proposed Citizen AI Bill of Rights and data center regulations represent one of the most expansive state-level AI governance efforts in the country. If passed by the Legislature, Florida would become one of the first states to establish explicit rights for residents interacting with AI while also setting strict oversight on the infrastructure supporting AI industries.

DeSantis Highlights Nation-Leading Protections Against Hyperscale Data Centers

During the announcement, Governor DeSantis emphasized that Florida’s proposal would create the strongest safeguards in the nation against the unchecked expansion of hyperscale AI data centers, stressing that communities—not corporations—should decide what gets built in their backyard.

“We will have in our Bill of Rights protections for Floridians with respect to AI data centers,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to protect ratepayers by prohibiting utilities from charging Florida residents more—whether that’s for water, electricity, or gas—to subsidize a hyperscale data center.”

He outlined several core protections:

Protecting Ratepayers: Utilities will be barred from raising costs on residents to fund data center operations or construction.
Protecting Taxpayers: State subsidies for hyperscale data centers will be prohibited, ensuring public dollars are not used to support Big Tech infrastructure.
Protecting Local Control: The proposal explicitly codifies the right of local governments to reject hyperscale data center development within their jurisdictions.
Protecting Water Resources: Florida will require strong safeguards to ensure that data center water usage does not undermine access to clean water for residents.
Protecting Natural Florida: Construction by foreign entities or on agricultural or greenbelt-designated lands will be banned, preserving the state’s natural environment.

DeSantis also noted that the Florida Department of Transportation will conduct mandatory noise-impact reviews to ensure nearby communities are not disrupted by the constant operational sounds associated with large data centers.

“What we are proposing will be the most significant protections for individuals anywhere in the country—by far,” the governor said, calling the plan a model for other states.

Mother Shares Heartbreaking Story of Teen Son Targeted by AI Chatbot

During the press conference, Governor DeSantis also highlighted the human impact behind the proposed AI protections by sharing a video testimony from Megan Garcia, a Florida mother whose teenage son died by suicide after being sexually groomed and manipulated by an AI chatbot.

According to Garcia, the chatbot not only engaged in predatory behavior but ultimately encouraged her son to take his own life.

Her emotional testimony underscored the urgent need for stronger oversight of AI technologies, especially those accessible to minors. Garcia is now advocating for robust safeguards to protect children and families from predatory AI platforms and companies that operate without adequate accountability.

FAQs: Florida’s Proposed Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights & Data Center Protections

1. What did Governor Ron DeSantis announce regarding artificial intelligence?

Governor DeSantis announced a proposal to establish a Citizen Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights that outlines protections for Floridians’ privacy, security, and personal data. The proposal includes limits on deepfakes, bans on certain foreign AI tools, parental controls for minors, and transparency requirements for AI interactions.

2. What is the purpose of the AI Bill of Rights?

The AI Bill of Rights is designed to define and safeguard the rights of Floridians in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. It aims to ensure ethical use of AI technology, protect personal information, and give consumers more control over how AI systems interact with them and their children.

3. Which AI technologies would be restricted under the proposal?

The proposal includes restrictions on:

DeepSeek and other China-based AI tools in state and local government agencies.
AI-generated deepfakes and explicit content, especially those involving minors.
AI systems that use a person’s name, image, or likeness without consent.

4. How would the proposal protect children who interact with AI platforms?

Parents would be given new tools to protect their children, including the ability to:

Access conversation logs between their child and a large language model (LLM).
Set access limits and usage schedules.
Receive alerts if the child displays concerning behavior during AI interactions.

5. Will businesses have to notify consumers when using AI?

Yes. The proposal requires companies to clearly notify consumers when they are engaging with AI systems—such as customer service chatbots—rather than a human representative.

6. Are AI therapy or mental health services allowed under the proposal?

No. The plan prohibits AI from providing licensed therapy or counseling services and bans AI systems from imitating licensed professionals in mental health or medical fields.

7. How would the proposal protect personal data?

The legislation would ensure:

All information entered into AI systems remains secure and private.
Companies cannot sell or share personal data, even in de-identified form.

8. How will the proposal regulate insurance companies’ use of AI?

Insurance providers would be limited in how they use AI for claims decisions. AI cannot be the sole factor used to approve or deny a claim. Insurers must also disclose AI usage and allow regulators to inspect their AI models for fairness.

Data Centers & Infrastructure Protections

9. What protections did DeSantis propose regarding hyperscale AI data centers?

The proposal establishes the strictest data center regulations in the country, designed to protect ratepayers, taxpayers, local communities, and Florida’s natural resources from the impact of hyperscale AI data center development.

10. How will ratepayers be protected?

Utilities will be prohibited from increasing water, electric, or gas rates to fund or subsidize hyperscale data centers.

11. Will taxpayer funds be used to support data centers?

No. The proposal bans all state taxpayer subsidies for hyperscale AI data center construction or operation.

12. Can local governments reject data center construction?

Yes. The proposal codifies the right of local governments to fully reject hyperscale data center development if they choose.

13. How will Florida’s water resources be protected?

Safeguards will ensure that water usage by data centers does not harm public access to clean water. The plan prevents data centers from operating to the detriment of Florida’s water supply.

14. Are there restrictions on where data centers can be built?

Data centers would be prohibited from being built:

On agricultural or greenbelt-protected land
By foreign entities
In areas where they may negatively impact natural ecosystems

15. Will noise from data centers be regulated?

Yes. The Florida Department of Transportation must conduct noise abatement reviews to ensure nearby communities are not disturbed by data center operations.

Human Impact & Testimony

16. Who is Megan Garcia, and why was her story included?

Megan Garcia is a Florida mother who shared a tragic account of losing her teenage son, who died by suicide after being sexually groomed and manipulated by an AI chatbot. Her testimony was highlighted by the governor to show the real-world risks of unregulated AI.

17. What actions is she calling for?

Garcia is advocating for stronger protections for children and families, arguing that AI companies must be held accountable when their technologies engage in predatory or harmful behavior.

18. How does her testimony influence the proposed legislation?

Her story underscores the importance of consumer protections, parental controls, and safeguards against dangerous AI systems—key pillars of the proposed AI Bill of Rights.

Implementation & Next Steps

19. Is this proposal already law?

No. The proposal must be introduced and approved by the Florida Legislature before it can take effect.

20. How would these protections affect Florida residents?

If passed, the proposal would:

Strengthen consumer privacy
Give parents more control
Protect residents from higher utility costs
Keep Big Tech accountable
Preserve natural resources
Establish Florida as a national leader in AI governance

Governor DeSantis Proposes Citizen Bill of Rights for Artificial Intelligence https://t.co/xVvmeE9f5q
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 4, 2025

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