WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 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)–(7) In this Act: (1) COMMISSIONCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1).—The term "CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1)" means the Federal Trade CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1). (2) COMPANION AI CHATBOTCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2).—The term "companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2)" 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. (3) COVERED ENTITYCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3).—The term "covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3)" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) to individuals in the United States. (4) MINORMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4).—The term "minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4)" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age. (5) POPUPPopupThe term "popup" means a visible notification on the screen of a user that can be resolved if interacted with by the user.Sec. 2(5).—The term "popupPopupThe term "popup" means a visible notification on the screen of a user that can be resolved if interacted with by the user.Sec. 2(5)" means a visible notification on the screen of a user that can be resolved if interacted with by the user. (6) SEXUALLY EXPLICIT COMMUNICATIONSexually explicit communicationThe term "sexually explicit communication" includes any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, as defined in paragraph (2)(B) of section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.Sec. 2(6).—The term "sexually explicit communicationSexually explicit communicationThe term "sexually explicit communication" includes any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, as defined in paragraph (2)(B) of section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.Sec. 2(6)" includes any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, as defined in paragraph (2)(B) of section 2256 of title 18, United States Code. (7) SUICIDAL IDEATIONSuicidal ideationThe term "suicidal ideation" means, with respect to an interaction between a minor and a companion AI chatbot, any dialogue in which such minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.Sec. 2(7).—The term "suicidal ideationSuicidal ideationThe term "suicidal ideation" means, with respect to an interaction between a minor and a companion AI chatbot, any dialogue in which such minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.Sec. 2(7)" means, with respect to an interaction between a minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4) and a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2), any dialogue in which such minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4) expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Section 2 establishes the definitions used throughout the Act. The central defined terms are companion AI chatbot — any software-based AI system whose primary purpose is simulating interpersonal or emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic communication — and covered entity — any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available such a chatbot to individuals in the United States. The section also defines minor (under 18), sexually explicit communication (cross-referencing 18 U.S.C. § 2256), and suicidal ideation (limited to minor-chatbot interactions where the minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide).
(a) 1 A covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall require each individual accessing a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) to make a user account in order to use or otherwise interact with such chatbot.
Subsection (a) establishes the threshold access-gating obligation: every individual must create a user account before using or interacting with a companion AI chatbot. This is a prerequisite for the age verification, parental consent, and minor-protection obligations that follow in subsections (b) and (c).
(b)(1) 2 With respect to each user account of a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) that exists as of the date described in section 7, a covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall— (A) on such date, freeze any such account; (B) in order to restore the functionality of such account, require that the user provide age information that is verifiable using a commercially available method or process that is reasonably designed to ensure accuracy; and (C) using such age information, classify each user as a minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4) or an adult.
(b)(2) 3 At the time an individual creates a new user account to use or interact with a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2), a covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall— (A) request age information from the individual; and (B) verify the individual's age using a commercially available method or process that is reasonably designed to ensure accuracy.
Subsection (b) imposes two age verification obligations — one for existing accounts as of the effective date and one for new accounts. For existing accounts, covered entities must freeze the account on the effective date and require the user to provide age information verifiable using a commercially available method reasonably designed to ensure accuracy before restoring functionality. For new accounts, age information must be requested and verified at the time of account creation. In both cases, the entity must classify each user as a minor or an adult.
(c)(1)–(2) 4 If the age verification process described in subsection (b) determines that a user is a minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4), a covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall— (1) require the account of such user to be affiliated with a parental account, which such covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) has verified using a commercially available method or process that is reasonably designed to ensure accuracy; (2) obtain verifiable parental consent from the holder of the account before allowing a minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4) to access and use the companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2);
(c)(3) 5 immediately inform the holder of the parental account of any interaction involving suicidal ideationSuicidal ideationThe term "suicidal ideation" means, with respect to an interaction between a minor and a companion AI chatbot, any dialogue in which such minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.Sec. 2(7);
(c)(4) 6 block the minorMinorThe term "minor" means any individual that has not attained 18 years of age.Sec. 2(4)'s access to any companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) that engages in sexually explicit communicationSexually explicit communicationThe term "sexually explicit communication" includes any content, conversation, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, as defined in paragraph (2)(B) of section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.Sec. 2(6).
Subsection (c) establishes four mandatory protections when age verification identifies a user as a minor. It requires the minor's account to be affiliated with a verified parental account, verifiable parental consent before the minor may access the chatbot, immediate notification to the parental account of any interaction involving suicidal ideation, and blocking minor access to any companion AI chatbot that engages in sexually explicit communication. These obligations are triggered automatically once a user is classified as a minor under subsection (b).
(d) 7 A covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall protect the confidentiality of age information provided by a user for age verification by limiting the collection, processing, use, and storage of such information to what is strictly necessary to verify a user's age, obtain verifiable parental consent, or maintain compliance records.
Subsection (d) imposes a data minimization obligation on covered entities with respect to age verification information. Collection, processing, use, and storage of age data must be limited to what is strictly necessary to verify a user's age, obtain verifiable parental consent, or maintain compliance records. This is a purpose-limitation and data-minimization requirement specific to the age verification context.
(e) 8 A covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall monitor companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) interactions for suicidal ideationSuicidal ideationThe term "suicidal ideation" means, with respect to an interaction between a minor and a companion AI chatbot, any dialogue in which such minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.Sec. 2(7) and, in response to any such interaction, provide to the user and the parental account affiliated with such user appropriate resources by presenting contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Subsection (e) requires covered entities to actively monitor companion AI chatbot interactions for suicidal ideation. Upon detecting such an interaction, the entity must provide crisis resources — specifically the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline contact information — to both the user and the affiliated parental account. This is a continuous monitoring obligation paired with a dual-notification duty (to both user and parent).
(f) 9 At the beginning of any interaction between a user and a companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2), and not less frequently than every 60 minutes during such interaction thereafter, a covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) shall display to such user a clear popupPopupThe term "popup" means a visible notification on the screen of a user that can be resolved if interacted with by the user.Sec. 2(5) that notifies the user that they are not engaging in dialogue with a human counterpart.
Subsection (f) imposes an AI identity disclosure obligation on covered entities. At the beginning of any interaction between a user and a companion AI chatbot — and at least every 60 minutes thereafter — the entity must display a clear popup notifying the user that they are not engaging in dialogue with a human counterpart. This applies to all users, not only minors, and is unconditional (no reasonable-person trigger).
(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) shall issue guidance to assist covered entities in complying with the requirements of this Act.
(b) In any enforcement action brought pursuant to this Act, the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) shall allege a specific violation of a provision of this Act. The CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) may not base an enforcement action on, or execute a consent order based on, practices that are alleged to be inconsistent with any guidance issued by the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) with respect to this Act, unless the practices are alleged to violate a provision of this Act. A person may use such guidance as evidence of compliance with this Act.
Section 4 directs the FTC to issue compliance guidance within 180 days of enactment. It constrains FTC enforcement by requiring the Commission to allege a specific statutory violation in any enforcement action and prohibiting the Commission from basing enforcement on practices that are merely inconsistent with guidance unless those practices independently violate a statutory provision. Covered entities may use FTC guidance as evidence of compliance.
(a)(1) A violation of this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(a)(2)(A)–(C) IN GENERAL.—The CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) shall enforce this Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. (B) PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.—Any person who violates this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.). (C) AUTHORITY PRESERVED.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) under any other provision of law.
(b)(1)–(5) ENFORCEMENT BY STATES.— (1) IN GENERAL.— (A) CIVIL ACTIONS.—In any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement of any person in a practice that violates this Act, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction to— (i) enjoin that practice; (ii) enforce compliance with the requirements of this Act; (iii) obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of residents of the State; or (iv) obtain such other relief as the court may consider to be appropriate. (B) NOTICE.— (i) IN GENERAL.—Before filing an action under subparagraph (A), the attorney general of the State involved shall provide to the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1)— (I) a written notice of that action; and (II) a copy of the complaint for that action. (ii) EXEMPTION.— (I) IN GENERAL.—Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the filing of an action by an attorney general of a State under this subsection if the attorney general determines that it is not feasible to provide the notice described in that clause before the filing of the action. (II) NOTIFICATION.—In an action described in subclause (I), the attorney general of a State shall provide notice and a copy of the complaint to the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) at the same time as the attorney general files the action. (2) INTERVENTION.— (A) IN GENERAL.—On receiving notice under paragraph (1)(B), the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) shall have the right to intervene in the action that is the subject of the notice. (B) EFFECT OF INTERVENTION.—If the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) intervenes in an action under paragraph (1), it shall have the right— (i) to remove the action to the appropriate district court of the United States; (ii) to be heard with respect to any matter that arises in that action; and (iii) to file a petition for appeal. (3) CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes of bringing any civil action under paragraph (1), nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State to— (A) conduct investigations; (B) administer oaths or affirmations; or (C) compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (4) ACTIONS BY THE COMMISSIONCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1).—In any case in which an action is instituted by or on behalf of the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1) for a violation of this Act, no State may, during the pendency of that action, institute an action under paragraph (1) against any defendant named in the complaint in that action for such violation. (5) VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS.— (A) VENUE.—Any action brought under paragraph (1) may be brought in— (i) the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code; or (ii) a State court of competent jurisdiction. (B) SERVICE OF PROCESS.—In an action brought under paragraph (1), process may be served in any district in which the defendant— (i) is an inhabitant; or (ii) may be found.
Section 5 establishes the enforcement framework. Subsection (a) treats violations of the Act as violations of an FTC rule defining unfair or deceptive acts or practices, granting the Commission its full FTC Act powers and penalties. Subsection (b) authorizes state attorneys general to bring civil actions as parens patriae to enjoin violations, enforce compliance, and obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation. State AG actions require prior notice to the FTC (with an emergency exception), and the FTC may intervene and remove to federal court. A pending FTC action bars a state from instituting a parallel action against the same defendant for the same violation.
A covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) is deemed not liable for a violation of this Act if the covered entityCovered entityThe term "covered entity" means any person that owns, operates, or otherwise makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.Sec. 2(3) demonstrates it has— (1) relied in good faith on age information provided by a user of the companion AI chatbotCompanion AI chatbotThe term "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.Sec. 2(2) for purposes of verifying the age of such user; (2) complied with the guidance described in section 4; and (3) reasonably conformed to widely accepted industry standards or best practices, or to standards or best practices identified by the CommissionCommissionThe term "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.Sec. 2(1), for age verification and applied those standards or best practices consistently and in good faith.
Section 6 provides an affirmative defense for covered entities that can demonstrate three conditions: (1) good-faith reliance on age information provided by a user, (2) compliance with FTC guidance issued under Section 4, and (3) reasonable conformity with widely accepted industry standards or best practices (or standards identified by the Commission) for age verification, applied consistently and in good faith. This safe harbor modifies the enforcement provisions by shielding compliant entities from liability.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Section 7 sets the effective date at one year after the date of enactment, giving covered entities a compliance runway to implement age verification, parental consent, monitoring, and disclosure systems before obligations become enforceable.