CHAT Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2714
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-06T12:03:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, known as the Children Harmed by AI Technology Act or CHAT Act, aims to protect minors from risks associated with companion AI chatbots by requiring age verification, parental oversight, and safeguards against harmful content or interactions.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms such as "companion AI chatbot" (AI systems primarily for emotional or interpersonal interaction), "covered entity" (operators making these chatbots available in the U.S.), "minor" (under 18), and specific concepts like sexually explicit communication and suicidal ideation.
- User Accounts and Age Verification: Requires all users to create accounts. Existing accounts must be frozen until verifiable age data is provided; new accounts require age verification using commercially available, accurate methods.
- Protections for Minors: Minors' accounts must link to verified parental accounts with parental consent. Parents must be notified of suicidal ideation. Access to chatbots engaging in sexually explicit communication is blocked.
- Data Confidentiality: Limits collection and use of age information to verification and compliance needs only.
- Suicidal Ideation Monitoring: Requires ongoing monitoring and provision of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline resources to users and parents.
- AI Disclosure: Mandates a clear popup notification at the start of interactions and every 60 minutes thereafter stating the user is not speaking with a human.
- Compliance and Enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must issue guidance within 180 days. Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under FTC authority. States may bring civil actions on behalf of residents.
- Safe Harbor: Provides liability protection for entities acting in good faith on user-provided age data, following guidance, and adhering to industry standards.
- Effective Date: Takes effect one year after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces new federal requirements specifically for companion AI chatbots, including mandatory age verification, parental consent mechanisms, and content restrictions for minors. It extends FTC enforcement powers to these AI systems and creates a state-level enforcement pathway, which did not previously apply in this targeted manner to AI chatbot operators.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases FTC workload for guidance development and enforcement; enables state attorneys general to pursue actions independently or alongside federal efforts.
- On Citizens: Enhances protections for minors through parental involvement and suicide prevention resources; may limit minor access to certain AI interactions while requiring users to provide verifiable age data.
- On International Relations: Primarily affects U.S.-based operations but could influence global AI standards if covered entities adjust practices for U.S. users.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Covered entities (AI chatbot operators and developers).
- Minors and their parents or guardians.
- The FTC and state attorneys general.
- General users of companion AI chatbots.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The Act relies on existing FTC consumer protection frameworks rather than creating entirely new regulatory structures. It includes a safe harbor to encourage compliance while limiting enforcement to specific statutory violations. Age verification and data handling provisions raise potential privacy considerations, though the bill requires confidentiality measures. Enforcement through state actions and FTC authority aligns with precedents in consumer protection law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Children Harmed by AI Technology Act — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (11 pages)