CHAT Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
Introduced
Summary
Protect minors using companion AI chatbots. This bill would make the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the main enforcer and require age checks, parental consent, suicide monitoring, and clear AI-notice popups for chatbots built to simulate companionship.
Show full summary
- Families: Parents would need a verified parental account and give verifiable consent before a minor uses a companion chatbot. Parents would be alerted immediately if the chatbot detects suicidal ideation and would receive National Suicide Prevention Lifeline contact information.
- Developers and platforms: Covered entities would have to require user accounts, verify age for existing accounts within one year, limit age data to what is strictly necessary, monitor chats for suicidal ideation, and block minors from sexually explicit chatbot interactions.
- Enforcement and liability: The FTC would treat breaches as unfair or deceptive acts and issue compliance guidance within 180 days of enactment. State attorneys general could bring civil actions and a safe harbor would protect companies that rely in good faith on user-provided age data and follow guidance and industry best practices.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
One-year delay before law starts
This bill would make the law take effect one year after enactment. That means covered companies and users would not have to follow the rules until that date. The delay gives companies more time to prepare but also postpones protections for people and children.
New FTC and state enforcement rules
This bill would make the Federal Trade Commission enforce the law like other unfair or deceptive acts. The Commission would have to issue guidance within 180 days after enactment. The guidance could be used as evidence of compliance but could not by itself be the sole basis of an enforcement action unless the conduct also violates the Act. The bill would create a safe harbor if a company shows good-faith reliance on user age info, follows the Commission guidance, and reasonably meets industry standards. The bill would also let State attorneys general sue on behalf of residents after giving the FTC notice. The FTC could intervene or remove those state cases, and states could not sue the same defendant for the same violation while the FTC's case is pending. Enforcement powers would start one year after enactment.
New age checks and child protections
This bill would require people to make accounts to use companion AI chatbots. Companies would ask and verify your age with a commercial method. If an account is already open, the company would freeze it until you verify age. If a user is a minor, the company would link the child account to a verified parental account and get verifiable parental consent before allowing access. The company would block sexually explicit chat for minors. The company would watch chats for suicidal talk and show the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the child and the parent right away. The bill would limit age data collection and storage to only what is needed for verification, consent, or records.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 11/5/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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