Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
House version of the CHAT Act. Would require companion AI chatbot operators to verify age, get verifiable parental consent for minors, notify parents of suicidal talk, block sexual content for minors, and show a not-human popup at the start and hourly. Narrower definition than the Senate bill.
Who it would cover
Anyone who owns, operates or makes available a companion AI chatbot to people in the U.S. Customer-service and productivity bots, limited video-game bots and standalone voice-command devices are excluded.
What it would require
| AI disclosure | A popup must tell the user they are not talking to a human.When: At the start of each interaction and at least every 60 minutes§ 3(f) |
|---|---|
| Minors | Minors' accounts linked to a verified parent account; verifiable parental consent before use; minors blocked from chatbots that engage in sexually explicit communication.§ 3(c) |
| Age checks | Accounts required; existing accounts frozen until age is verified; new accounts verified with a commercially available method reasonably designed for accuracy.§ 3(a)-(b) |
| Crisis protocol | Monitor for suicidal ideation, notify the parent immediately, and give the user and parent National Suicide Prevention Lifeline contact information.§ 3(c)(3), § 3(e) |
| Data limits | Age information may be used and stored only as strictly necessary for age verification, parental consent and compliance records.§ 3(d) |
| Other duties | FTC must issue compliance guidance within 180 days of enactment; safe harbor for entities that relied in good faith on age information, followed the guidance and followed accepted industry standards. Takes effect 1 year after enactment.§§ 4, 6, 7 |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Federal Trade Commission and State attorneys general (parens patriae)§ 5 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | No |
| Penalties | Treated as a violation of an FTC rule on unfair or deceptive practices (FTC Act § 18(a)(1)(B)); FTC Act remedies apply. No separate dollar amount. |
Related laws
- Pending
- Pending
Sources
- All actions, Congress.gov Supports: Latest action and dates.
- Cosponsors, Congress.gov Supports: Sponsor and cosponsor count.
- Bill text, Congress.gov Supports: Introduced text, §§ 2-7.
- Bill status data (Library of Congress feed, GPO govinfo) Supports: Introduction and referral.
- H.R. 7218 as introduced (text) Supports: Sections 2-7.