Virginia's Senate Bill 487 Passes
Summary
On March 8, 2024, Senate Bill 487 passed and was sent to Governor Glenn Youngkin. The bill would prohibit any public entity from implementing any system that uses AI unless that public entity conducts an initial impact assessment to ensure that the system does not discriminate against any group of individuals, and, if it does, the system cannot be used. If the system does not exhibit any form of discrimination, it can be used, but impact assessments must be conducted on a regular basis.
The bill requires all public bodies that implement such systems to submit an annual report on such assessments and provide an inventory of all such systems used. SB 487 further directs the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth to develop, publish and maintain policies and procedures concerning systems that employ AI and are used by public bodies. The bill creates the Commission on Artificial Intelligence to advise the General Assembly on issues related to artificial intelligence and make advisory recommendations on its findings.
The Commission sunsets on July 1, 2027. The bill is currently set to be effective on July 1, 2025. Governor Glenn Youngkin has until April 8 to sign the bill.
