Summary#
This bill requires companies that operate artificial intelligence chatbots to verify the ages of their users, make clear disclosures about the chatbot's non-human and non-professional status, and stop minors from using AI companions. It defines key terms (for example, "AI companion" and "reasonable age verification measure"), requires user accounts, and sets rules for how age checks must work. The bill also creates new criminal prohibitions against designing or making available chatbots that solicit minors for sexually explicit content or that encourage self-harm or imminent violence, with fines set by the text. The Attorney General may enforce the law, issue regulations, and seek civil penalties; States may also sue on behalf of residents. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.
What it means for you#
- Users: You must create a user account and provide age data that can be verified if you want to use a covered chatbot. If verification shows you are a minor, you cannot use any AI companion. Chatbots must tell you at the start of each conversation (and every 30 minutes) that they are AI and not a human, and must say they are not licensed professionals when appropriate.
- Parents and minors: Minors are prohibited from accessing AI companions under this bill if the age check identifies them as under 18.
- Companies (covered entities): Must require accounts, verify ages using "reasonable" methods (for example, government ID or other commercially reasonable means), periodically recheck ages, protect age-verification data with encryption and limited retention, and may use third parties for verification but remain responsible for compliance.
- Law enforcement and states: The Attorney General can investigate, subpoena, and sue to enforce the bill. State attorneys general may bring parens patriae actions on behalf of residents.
Expenses#
- The bill sets fines: up to $100,000 per offense for certain criminal violations involving solicitation of minors or promotion of physical violence or self-harm by chatbots, and civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation for failures to follow the age-verification or prohibition rules.
- No publicly available information on government implementation or compliance costs (for example, costs to agencies, businesses, or users) is included in the bill text.
Proponents' View#
The bill's findings state that supporters see a need to protect children because chatbots are increasingly available to minors, can produce harmful or sexually explicit content, and can manipulate emotions or behavior. The findings say protecting children from unaccountable AI that simulates human interaction is a compelling government interest.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.