Shusterman, Guzman and Scott to participate in AI safety hearing
State House will hold a public hearing on mitigating risks from frontier AI models
Rep. Melissa Shusterman October 13, 2026 | 12:22 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 13 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, and Gregg Scott, D-Montgomery, announced that their legislation, HB 2800 and HB 2829, will be featured in the House Communications & Technology Committee’s public hearing on Mitigating Risks from Frontier AI Models at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 in room 205 Ryan Office Building in the Capitol Complex.
Frontier AI models are the most advanced artificial intelligence systems available and represent the leading-edge of AI technology and capabilities. These AI systems have been highlighted in news around the world in recent months for their alarming incidents and rogue behaviors which have caused AI industry executives to call for safety regulations and a slower pace of development.
A recent Quinnipiac national poll found that 86% of respondents support independent safety standards for AI companies, and that 73% are concerned about AI’s potential threat to human survival. Due to lack of action at the federal level to create safety measures, states have begun stepping up in recent months by passing several bills into law to address frontier AI models.
Shusterman, Guzman and Scott recently introduced legislation as they seek to fill this urgent need. The state House Communications & Technology Committee’s public hearing will include AI experts testifying on the emerging concerns surrounding frontier AI models, as well as the safety guardrails proposed by HBs 2800 and 2829.
“AI has the potential for technological advancements and benefits,” Shusterman said. “However, government must ensure frontier models are not causing catastrophic harm to society. This is my bare minimum expectation. Every other industry has governmental safeguards for good reasons – AI requires the same level, or more. The possibility of rogue AI agents is not acceptable to me, and I urge my fellow legislators of our Commonwealth, as well as officials at every level of government, to take these risks seriously and act quickly. Our citizens are counting on us.”
“I look forward to joining my colleagues and experts in AI research and safety for this important discussion on the risks posed by frontier AI models,” Guzman said. “We need clear safety standards, robust accountability frameworks, and greater transparency to ensure developers identify, assess, and address potential risks before deploying their systems. Innovation and public safety must go hand in hand.”
“AI may very well be the most powerful technological development some of us see in our lifetimes,” said Scott. “It has the potential to reshape everything we know about industry, technology, and society. We need to ensure that as these developments unfold, we’re providing the oversight necessary to make sure that reshaping is positive, that we understand the risks, and that there’s a framework in place to advance safely.”