WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1)(a)–(h) As used in this section, the term: (a) "Anonymous age verificationAnonymous age verification"Anonymous age verification" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(a)" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738. (b) "Companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b)" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user. (c) "DepartmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c)" means the Department of Legal Affairs. (d) "MinorMinor"Minor" means any individual who is under 18 years of age.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(d)" means any individual who is under 18 years of age. (e) "OperatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e)" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) to individuals in this state. (f) "Pop-upPop-up"Pop-up" means a visible notification on the screen of a user which may be resolved if the user interacts with or responds to the notification.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(f)" means a visible notification on the screen of a user which may be resolved if the user interacts with or responds to the notification. (g) "Sexually explicit communicationSexually explicit communication"Sexually explicit communication" means any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, sexual excitement, or sexual activity.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(g)" means any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, sexual excitement, or sexual activity. (h) "Standard age verificationStandard age verification"Standard age verification" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operator.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(h)" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e).
Subsection (1) defines the key terms used throughout the bill, including the covered platform (companion AI chatbot), covered entity (operator), and critical concepts such as minor, sexually explicit communication, pop-up, and the two forms of age verification (standard and anonymous). The definition of companion AI chatbot is broad — it encompasses any AI system whose primary purpose is simulating interpersonal, emotional, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication, which could extend beyond dedicated companion apps to features embedded in larger platforms.
(2) 1 An operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) shall require an individual seeking access to a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) to create a user account to use or otherwise interact with the chatbot.
Subsection (2) requires operators to mandate that every individual seeking access to a companion AI chatbot create a user account before interacting with the chatbot. This is a gating prerequisite that enables the age verification and parental consent obligations in subsequent subsections. Without a user account, none of the downstream protections can be enforced.
(3)(a)–(c) 2 With respect to companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) user accounts in existence before July 1, 2026, an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) shall: (a) On such date, freeze or otherwise disable any such account; (b) Require the user of the frozen or disabled account to provide age information and verify that information using standard age verificationStandard age verification"Standard age verification" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operator.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(h) or anonymous age verificationAnonymous age verification"Anonymous age verification" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(a) before the functionality of such account may be restored; and (c) Using standard age verificationStandard age verification"Standard age verification" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operator.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(h) or anonymous age verificationAnonymous age verification"Anonymous age verification" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(a), classify each user as either a minorMinor"Minor" means any individual who is under 18 years of age.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(d) or an adult.
Subsection (3) addresses the transition of pre-existing companion AI chatbot accounts. On the effective date (July 1, 2026), operators must freeze or disable all existing accounts, require users to provide and verify their age using standard or anonymous age verification before restoring functionality, and classify each user as either a minor or an adult. This ensures that the age-based protections in subsection (5) apply retroactively to all users, not just new sign-ups.
(4)(a)–(b) 3 Upon the creation of a new companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) user account, an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) shall: (a) Request age information from the user; and (b) Verify the user's age using standard age verificationStandard age verification"Standard age verification" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operator.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(h) or anonymous age verificationAnonymous age verification"Anonymous age verification" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(a).
Subsection (4) requires operators to request and verify age information from every new companion AI chatbot user at the point of account creation, using standard or anonymous age verification. This is the ongoing counterpart to subsection (3)'s transitional freeze-and-verify obligation.
(5)(a)–(b) 4 If the age verification process determines that a user is a minorMinor"Minor" means any individual who is under 18 years of age.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(d), an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) must do all of the following: (a) Require the account of such user to be affiliated with a parental account that has been verified using standard age verificationStandard age verification"Standard age verification" means any commercially reasonable method of age verification approved by the operator.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(h) or anonymous age verificationAnonymous age verification"Anonymous age verification" has the same meaning as in s. 501.1738.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(a); (b) Obtain verifiable parental consent from the holder of the affiliate parental account before allowing the minorMinor"Minor" means any individual who is under 18 years of age.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(d) to access and use the companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b);
(5)(c) 5 Block the minorMinor"Minor" means any individual who is under 18 years of age.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(d)'s access to any companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) that prompts, promotes, solicits, or otherwise suggests sexually explicit communicationSexually explicit communication"Sexually explicit communication" means any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, sexual excitement, or sexual activity.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(g).
Subsection (5) imposes three obligations triggered when the age verification process identifies a user as a minor. The operator must (a) affiliate the minor's account with a verified parental account, (b) obtain verifiable parental consent from that parent before granting the minor access, and (c) block the minor's access to any companion AI chatbot that prompts, promotes, solicits, or otherwise suggests sexually explicit communication. The parental-account-affiliation requirement creates a structural control mechanism that goes beyond simple consent.
(6) 6 An operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) shall protect the confidentiality of age information provided by a user for age verification in accordance with s. 501.1738.
Subsection (6) requires operators to protect the confidentiality of age information provided by users for age verification, incorporating the standards of Fla. Stat. § 501.1738 by reference. This cross-reference ties the bill's data protection obligations to the existing framework for anonymous age verification data confidentiality under Florida law.
(7) 7 At the beginning of any interaction between a user and a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b), and no less frequently than every 60 minutes thereafter during such interaction, an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) shall display a pop-upPop-up"Pop-up" means a visible notification on the screen of a user which may be resolved if the user interacts with or responds to the notification.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(f) that notifies users that they are not engaging in dialogue with a human counterpart.
Subsection (7) imposes an unconditional AI identity disclosure obligation. At the beginning of every interaction and at least every 60 minutes thereafter, operators must display a pop-up notifying users that they are not engaging in dialogue with a human counterpart. Unlike California SB 243, which conditions its general disclosure on a reasonable-person-misled standard and uses a 3-hour interval for minors, this bill applies its 60-minute disclosure interval universally to all users regardless of age.
(8)(a) A violation of this section is deemed an unfair and deceptive trade practice actionable under part II of this chapter solely by the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) on behalf of a user of a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b). If the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) has reason to believe that an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) is in violation of this section, the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may, as the enforcing authority, bring an action against the operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) for an unfair or deceptive act or practice. For the purpose of bringing an action pursuant to this section, ss. 501.211 and 501.212 do not apply. In addition to any other remedy under part II of this chapter, the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may collect a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per violation and reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
(8)(b) A third party that performs age verification for an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) in violation of this section is deemed to have committed an unfair and deceptive trade practice actionable under part II of this chapter by the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) solely against such third party. For the purpose of bringing an action pursuant to this section, ss. 501.211 and 501.212 do not apply.
(9) This section does not preclude any other available remedy at law or equity.
(10) For purposes of bringing an action pursuant to this section, any entity or person who meets the definition of an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person who owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in this state.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(e) that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbot"Companion AI chatbot" means any software-based artificial intelligence system or program that exists for the primary purpose of simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication with a user.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(b) to individuals in this state is considered both to be engaged in substantial and not isolated activities within this state and to be operating, conducting, engaging in, or carrying on a business, and doing business in this state, and is therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state.
(11)(a)–(e) If, by its own inquiry or as a result of complaints, the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) has reason to believe that an entity or a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, an act or practice that violates this section, the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses or matter, and collect evidence. Within 5 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after the service of a subpoena or at any time before the return date specified therein, whichever is longer, the party served may file in the circuit court in the county in which it resides or in which it transacts business and serve upon the enforcing authority a petition for an order modifying or setting aside the subpoena. The petitioner may raise any objection or privilege which would be available upon service of such subpoena in a civil action. The subpoena must inform the party served of its rights under this subsection. (b) If the matter that the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) seeks to obtain by subpoena is located outside this state, the entity or person subpoenaed may make it available to the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) or its representative to examine the matter at the place where the party is located. The departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may designate representatives, including officials of the state where the matter is located, to inspect the matter on its behalf and may respond to similar requests from officials of other states. (c) Upon failure of an entity or a person without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected, the departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may apply to the circuit court for an order compelling compliance. (d) The departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may request that an entity or a person who refuses to comply with a subpoena on the ground that testimony or matter may incriminate the entity or person be ordered by the court to provide the testimony or matter. Except in a prosecution for perjury, an entity or person who complies with a court order to provide testimony or matter after asserting a valid privilege against self-incrimination may not have the testimony or matter so provided, or evidence derived therefrom, received against the entity or person in any criminal investigation or proceeding. (e) An entity or a person upon whom a subpoena is served pursuant to this section shall comply with the terms thereof unless otherwise provided by order of the court. Any entity or person who fails to appear with the intent to avoid, evade, or prevent compliance in whole or in part with any investigation under this part or who removes from any place, conceals, withholds, mutilates, alters, or destroys, or by any other means falsifies any documentary material in the possession, custody, or control of any entity or person subject to any such subpoena, or knowingly conceals any relevant information with the intent to avoid, evade, or prevent compliance, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per week in violation, reasonable attorney fees, and costs.
(12) The departmentDepartment"Department" means the Department of Legal Affairs.Fla. Stat. § 501.1739(1)(c) may adopt rules to implement this section.
Subsections (8) through (12) establish the enforcement framework. Violations are deemed unfair and deceptive trade practices enforceable solely by the Department of Legal Affairs — not by private parties. The bill expressly excludes the private enforcement provisions of §§ 501.211 and 501.212. Civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation are authorized, along with attorney fees and court costs. Third-party age verification providers are independently liable for violations committed on behalf of operators. Subsection (9) preserves other remedies. Subsection (10) establishes personal jurisdiction over operators. Subsection (11) grants investigative subpoena power with a $5,000/week civil penalty for non-compliance. Subsection (12) authorizes rulemaking.