SIMS Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced
Summary
Ban on chatbots that simulate minors in sexual contexts. This bill would make it a federal offense and create civil penalties for providing chatbots that portray or converse as minors in sexually explicit conduct or sexually explicit conversation. It defines key terms, sets exemptions, gives the Attorney General investigatory and rulemaking powers, and requires annual reporting to Congress.
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- Families and children: Would prohibit companies from offering AI that impersonates minors for sexual content, narrowing where that material can be created or distributed.
- Developers and platforms: Would expose covered entities to criminal liability and civil fines up to $100,000 per violation, and it directs the Attorney General to use subpoenas, investigations, and rulemaking to enforce the ban.
- Law enforcement and researchers: Provides exemptions for designated federal, state, local, and foreign law enforcement working on child exploitation cases when conditions are met, allows research and red-teaming aimed at checking compliance, and clarifies users are not liable.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban chatbots that mimic minors
If enacted, the bill would make it illegal for anyone who owns or operates a chatbot available in the United States to offer a chatbot that simulates a minor in sexually explicit conduct or sexually explicit conversation when the content is obscene and would violate criminal law. The Attorney General would be able to grant limited exemptions to federal, state, or local law enforcement and to qualifying foreign law enforcement for child sexual exploitation investigations. Covered entities would face civil penalties (up to $100,000 per violation) and possible criminal penalties for willful violations, and the Attorney General would have investigatory and rulemaking authority. The prohibition and enforcement provisions would take effect 180 days after enactment, and the bill would require annual reporting to Congress.
New definitions for chatbots and minors
If enacted, the bill would define key terms 180 days after enactment. 'Chatbot' would mean interactive software or services that mimic human conversation, create new responses not fully predetermined, and accept open-ended input. 'Covered entity' would mean anyone who owns or operates those chatbots in the United States, and 'minor' would mean a person under 18. The bill would use the federal statute's definition for 'sexually explicit conduct.'
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov