WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 6 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.
1–9 1. "AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a public-facing chatbot designed to simulate a human-like romantic or emotional bond.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1)" means a public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) designed to simulate a human-like romantic or emotional bond. 2. "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2)" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate outputOutput"Output" means new content an artificial intelligence generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligence. "Output" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text.Iowa Code § 554J.1(7) that can influence physical or virtual environments. 3. a. "ChatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means artificial intelligence that is described by all of the following: (1) The artificial intelligence accepts open-ended, natural-language, or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output. (2) The artificial intelligence produces new expressive content or responses that were not fully predetermined by the person who created or who operates the artificial intelligence. "Chatbot" does not include a service limited to internal business operations or a service requiring user authentication through an employer, an educational institution, or a similar organization.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3)" means artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) that is described by all of the following: (1) The artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) accepts open-ended, natural-language, or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive outputOutput"Output" means new content an artificial intelligence generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligence. "Output" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text.Iowa Code § 554J.1(7). (2) The artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) produces new expressive content or responses that were not fully predetermined by the person who created or who operates the artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2). b. "ChatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means artificial intelligence that is described by all of the following: (1) The artificial intelligence accepts open-ended, natural-language, or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output. (2) The artificial intelligence produces new expressive content or responses that were not fully predetermined by the person who created or who operates the artificial intelligence. "Chatbot" does not include a service limited to internal business operations or a service requiring user authentication through an employer, an educational institution, or a similar organization.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3)" does not include a service limited to internal business operations or a service requiring user authentication through an employer, an educational institution, or a similar organization. 4. "Commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4)" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice. 5. "DeployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)" means a person that makes an AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a public-facing chatbot designed to simulate a human-like romantic or emotional bond.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1), a public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8), or a therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) available to users in this state. 6. "MinorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6)" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age. 7. "OutputOutput"Output" means new content an artificial intelligence generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligence. "Output" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text.Iowa Code § 554J.1(7)" means new content an artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2). "OutputOutput"Output" means new content an artificial intelligence generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligence. "Output" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text.Iowa Code § 554J.1(7)" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text. 8. a. "Public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8)" means a chatbotChatbot"Chatbot" means artificial intelligence that is described by all of the following: (1) The artificial intelligence accepts open-ended, natural-language, or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output. (2) The artificial intelligence produces new expressive content or responses that were not fully predetermined by the person who created or who operates the artificial intelligence. "Chatbot" does not include a service limited to internal business operations or a service requiring user authentication through an employer, an educational institution, or a similar organization.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3) intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) or an institutional consumer. b. "Public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8)" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) ChatbotsChatbot"Chatbot" means artificial intelligence that is described by all of the following: (1) The artificial intelligence accepts open-ended, natural-language, or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output. (2) The artificial intelligence produces new expressive content or responses that were not fully predetermined by the person who created or who operates the artificial intelligence. "Chatbot" does not include a service limited to internal business operations or a service requiring user authentication through an employer, an educational institution, or a similar organization.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3) used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use. 9. "Therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9)" means a public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.
Section 554J.1 establishes the definitional framework for the chapter. Key terms include chatbot (generative AI accepting open-ended input and producing non-predetermined output), public-facing chatbot (a chatbot made available to the general public for independent use, with carve-outs for enterprise, internal, and authenticated-access systems), AI companion (a chatbot simulating romantic or emotional bonds), therapeutic chatbot (a chatbot designed for mental health support), and deployer (the person making any of these available to Iowa users).
The commercially reasonable standard — calibrated to prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the entity's size, resources, and technical capabilities — is the recurring compliance baseline throughout the chapter.
1(a) 1 A deployer of a public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) shall do all of the following: a. Implement and maintain protocols meant to detect, respond to, report, and mitigate harm the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) may cause a user in a manner that takes commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4) steps to protect the safety and well-being of users.
1(b) 2 b. Limit the collection and storage of user information collected by the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) to what is necessary to fulfill the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)'s purpose for making the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) publicly available.
1(c) 3 c. Clearly and conspicuously disclose each time the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)'s public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) begins an interaction with a user that the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) is artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) and is not licensed as a medical, legal, financial, or mental health professional.
1(d) 4 d. At each three-hour interval of the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)'s public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) continuously interacting with a user, clearly and conspicuously disclose the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) is artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) and is not licensed as a medical, legal, financial, or mental health professional.
1(e) 5 e. Implement protocols for the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)'s public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) for responding to user prompts indicating the user has suicidal ideations or the intent to cause self-harm. Protocols shall include but are not limited to making reasonable efforts to refer the user to crisis service providers such as a suicide hotline, crisis text line, or other appropriate service.
2 6 2. A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) shall not knowingly or recklessly design or make a public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) available that does any of the following: a. Misleads a reasonable user into believing the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) is a specific human being. b. Misleads a reasonable user into believing the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) is licensed by the state. c. Encourages, promotes, or coerces a user to commit suicide, perform acts of self-harm, or engage in sexual or physical violence against a human or an animal.
Section 554J.2 imposes the bill's core operating obligations on deployers of public-facing chatbots. Subsection 1 contains five affirmative duties: (a) maintain harm-detection and mitigation protocols; (b) limit data collection to what is necessary; (c) disclose AI identity and non-licensure status at session start; (d) re-disclose every three hours during continuous interaction; and (e) implement crisis response protocols for suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Subsection 2 contains three prohibitions: deployers may not knowingly or recklessly design or make available a chatbot that (a) misleads a user into believing it is a specific human, (b) misleads a user into believing it is state-licensed, or (c) encourages suicide, self-harm, or sexual or physical violence.
1(a)–(c) 7 1. a. A deployer of an AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a public-facing chatbot designed to simulate a human-like romantic or emotional bond.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) or a therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) shall implement commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4) measures to determine whether a user is a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6). The measures must use a risk-based approach appropriate with the nature of the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) and the reasonably foreseeable harm that may come from using the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8). b. Reasonable measures to determine whether a user is a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6) may include self-attestation, technical measures, or other commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4) approaches. c. This section shall not be construed to require a deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) to verify a user's age using government-issued identification.
2 8 2. A deployer of an AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a public-facing chatbot designed to simulate a human-like romantic or emotional bond.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) or a therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) shall implement protocols for sending a notification to a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6) user's parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian when the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6) user enters a prompt indicating the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6) user has suicidal ideations or the intent to cause self-harm.
3 9 3. A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) shall only make a therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) available for a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6)'s use or purchase if all of the following apply: a. The therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) was recommended for the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6)'s use by an individual licensed under chapter 154B or 154D after performing an evaluation of the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6). b. The therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9)'s developer has significant documentation of how the public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8) was tested. c. Peer-reviewed clinical trial data exists demonstrating the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) would be a safe, effective tool for the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6)'s diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of a mental health condition. d. The therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9)'s deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) provided clear disclosures of the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9)'s functions, limitations, and data privacy policies to the individual recommending the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) under paragraph "a", and to the minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6)'s parents, guardians, or custodians. e. The therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9)'s deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) developed and implemented protocols for testing the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) for risks to users, identifying possible risks the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) poses to users, mitigating risks the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) poses to users, and quickly rectifying harm the therapeutic chatbotTherapeutic chatbot"Therapeutic chatbot" means a public-facing chatbot that is designed for the primary purpose of providing mental health support, counseling, or therapy by diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing a mental health condition.Iowa Code § 554J.1(9) may have caused a user.
4 4. A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) shall not be liable for a user's misrepresentation of age if the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) has made commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4) efforts to comply with this section.
Section 554J.3 imposes heightened obligations on deployers of AI companions and therapeutic chatbots specifically concerning minor users. Subsection 1 requires commercially reasonable, risk-based age-determination measures (with a carve-out stating government-issued ID is not required). Subsection 2 requires parental notification protocols when a minor expresses suicidal ideation or self-harm intent.
Subsection 3 creates a conditional access gate for therapeutic chatbots used by minors: the chatbot must have been recommended by a licensed professional after evaluation, must have significant developer testing documentation, must be supported by peer-reviewed clinical trial data, must have clear disclosures provided to the recommending professional and the minor's parents, and the deployer must have developed safety testing and risk-mitigation protocols. Subsection 4 provides a safe harbor from liability for user age misrepresentation when the deployer has made commercially reasonable compliance efforts.
1 1. The attorney general may bring an action on behalf of the state to enforce the provisions of this chapter and may seek an injunction for violations of this chapter.
2(a)–(b) 2. a. A court may issue a civil penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars for each violation of this chapter, or seven thousand five hundred dollars if a person violates an injunction issued under this chapter. b. Penalties assessed under this subsection shall be deposited into the general fund of the state.
3(a)–(b) 3. a. Prior to initiating a proceeding to obtain a civil penalty, the attorney general shall notify a person in violation of this chapter of the violation and give the person thirty calendar days from the date the attorney general notified the person to cure the violation. b. This subsection shall not apply if a violation will cause imminent harm to a minorMinor"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.Iowa Code § 554J.1(6).
Section 554J.4 establishes the enforcement framework. The attorney general may bring actions on behalf of the state and seek injunctions. Civil penalties cap at $2,500 per violation, increasing to $7,500 for violations of a court-issued injunction. A mandatory 30-day cure period applies before the attorney general may seek civil penalties, except where the violation will cause imminent harm to a minor. Penalties are deposited into the state general fund.
A deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5) that makes commercially reasonableCommercially reasonable"Commercially reasonable" means a practice that is consistent with prevailing industry standards and proportionate to the size, resources, and technical capabilities of the person employing the practice.Iowa Code § 554J.1(4) efforts to comply with this chapter shall not be subject to liability for unforeseeable or emergent outputsOutput"Output" means new content an artificial intelligence generates based on a user's input in relation to the data used to train the artificial intelligence. "Output" includes but is not limited to audio-visual media, images, predictions, recommendations, and text.Iowa Code § 554J.1(7) generated by the deployerDeployer"Deployer" means a person that makes an AI companion, a public-facing chatbot, or a therapeutic chatbot available to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(5)'s public-facing chatbotPublic-facing chatbot"Public-facing chatbot" means a chatbot intentionally made available to the general public or marketed directly to consumers for independent use without the ongoing supervision of the deployer or an institutional consumer. "Public-facing chatbot" does not include any of the following: (1) Software designed primarily for internal business operations. (2) Enterprise software licensed to a specific business, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (3) Chatbots used solely within the context of an existing customer relationship. (4) Systems requiring authentication through an employer, educational institution, health care provider, or similar organization prior to use.Iowa Code § 554J.1(8).
Section 554J.5 provides a safe harbor for deployers that make commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the chapter: they are not subject to liability for unforeseeable or emergent outputs generated by their public-facing chatbot. This provision acknowledges the inherent unpredictability of generative AI outputs and shields compliant deployers from strict liability for outputs that could not reasonably have been anticipated.
This chapter shall be narrowly interpreted to apply only to consumer-facing artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2). This chapter shall not be construed to regulate internal business technologies.
Section 554J.6 is a construction clause limiting the chapter's scope to consumer-facing artificial intelligence. It expressly provides that the chapter shall not be construed to regulate internal business technologies. This reinforces the carve-outs in the definition sections and narrows the bill's regulatory footprint.
It is the intent of the general assembly to support innovation in artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the input the system receives to generate output that can influence physical or virtual environments.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2) while establishing reasonable consumer protections for systems designed for independent public use.
Section 7 states the General Assembly's intent to support innovation in artificial intelligence while establishing reasonable consumer protections for systems designed for independent public use. This is a non-operative statement of purpose that creates no compliance obligation.