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119-hr-7985119th CongressWALLET

CHATBOT Act

Sponsored By: Representative Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

Introduced

Summary

Stops AI chatbots from pretending to be licensed professionals. The bill would ban chatbot outputs and ads that, to a reasonable user, indicate or imply possession of a required professional license when one is not held, and it would require the Federal Trade Commission to issue compliance guidance within 12 months.

Show full summary
  • Consumers and clients: People seeking help in health care, legal, finance, or accounting would get clearer signals about whether advice comes from a licensed professional, targeting misleading claims in four industry sectors.
  • Companies that deploy chatbots: Covered entities would be barred from generating or marketing chatbot output that claims credentials, fictitious experience, or human verification unless an appropriate license actually exists and applies.
  • Enforcement and remedies: The Federal Trade Commission could treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act. State attorneys general and private plaintiffs could seek injunctions and damages up to $5,000 per violation, with courts allowed to triple awards for willful misconduct.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New lawsuits and damages for users

If enacted, the bill would let any person harmed by a violation sue in federal court for an injunction and money damages. You could recover your actual monetary loss or up to $5,000 per violation, whichever is greater. A court could increase an award up to three times if the violation was willful or knowing. Prevailing plaintiffs would get costs and reasonable attorney's fees. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents but must notify the FTC before or when they file. The $5,000 per-violation amount would be adjusted yearly for inflation starting with the first CPI published at least one year after enactment.

Ban on fake professional chatbots

If enacted, the bill would ban AI chatbots and related ads that a reasonable user would think claim a professional license when no such license exists. It would cover finance and insurance, health and social assistance, legal services, and accounting/tax/bookkeeping/payroll. "Appropriate license" would mean the State-required license where the service is provided. The Federal Trade Commission would be required to publish guidance on compliance within 12 months after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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