To prohibit the manufacture and conveyance of certain products for children that incorporate an artificial intelligence chatbot, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8382
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3000-3001)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T08:06:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to protect children by banning artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots—software that uses AI to hold interactive conversations—in children's toys and child care products.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition: Starting 180 days after enactment, no one may:
- Manufacture for sale,
- Import into the U.S.,
- Sell or transfer,
- Offer to sell or transfer, or
- Distribute
any children's toy or child care article containing an AI chatbot.
- Enforcement: Violations are treated like breaches of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) with civil penalties (e.g., fines up to $120,000 per violation, potential injunctions or seizures).
- Definitions:
- AI and machine learning (ML): Borrowed from the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (advanced tech mimicking human intelligence or learning from data).
- Chatbot: AI/ML tech for user conversations.
- Children's toy/child care article: Defined in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (toys for kids 12 and under; items like pacifiers or teething rings used with children).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a specific ban on AI chatbots in child products to the CPSA framework, which previously regulated safety hazards like lead or choking risks but not AI interactions.
- Integrates enforcement directly into CPSC rules without creating a new agency.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: CPSC gains enforcement duties, including inspections, recalls, and penalties for non-compliant products.
- Citizens: Parents and caregivers lose access to AI-enabled toys/child care items; may increase costs or limit innovation in interactive toys.
- International relations: U.S. importers face restrictions on foreign-made products, potentially affecting trade with AI-tech exporters (e.g., China).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Manufacturers and importers of toys/child care products (must redesign or halt AI features).
- Distributors and retailers (cannot sell banned items post-deadline).
- Consumers (parents/children; reduced product choices).
- CPSC (expanded oversight role).
- AI/tech developers (limited market for child-focused chatbots).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's commerce power; enforceable via existing CPSC tools, but courts may scrutinize "chatbot" definition for vagueness.
- Constitutional: Could raise First Amendment questions if chatbots seen as protected speech, though product safety regs often upheld (e.g., toy labeling cases).
- Political: Signals growing congressional concern over AI risks to children (privacy, manipulation), aligning with broader child safety laws like CPSIA. No criminal penalties—civil only.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3000-3001)
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To prohibit the manufacture and conveyance of certain products for children that incorporate an artificial intelligence chatbot, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (2 pages)