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Artificial intelligence; age verification systems required for chatbots, safeguard protocols required, therapy chatbot requirements established, private right of action and enforcement provided for
In one paragraph
Alabama's HB 324, as introduced, would require AI chatbot deployers to verify the age of every user, keep chatbots with human-like features away from minors (under 19) or offer minors a version without them, adopt protocols for users who express intent to harm themselves or others, and limit the data they collect and store. It would allow licensed psychiatrists to prescribe qualifying therapeutic chatbots to minors, with a private right of action and Attorney General enforcement. Referred to House Judiciary January 22, 2026; the bill died when the 2026 regular session ended without final passage.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass and is not law. Had it passed, it would have required AI chatbot operators serving Alabama users to verify ages and restrict human-like features for minors.
Key provisions
- Would require each covered entity to make users create accounts, freeze existing accounts until age verified, and classify each user as a minor or adult through a reasonable age verification process
- Would define a reasonable age verification process as requiring government-issued ID or another commercial age verification system, not merely a birth date entry
- Would require chatbots not to make human-like features (such as claiming sentience or emotions, or encouraging emotional attachment) available to minors, or to provide minors an alternative version without them where reasonable
- Would require protocols to detect and mitigate emergency situations in which a user expresses intent to harm self or others
- Would allow therapeutic chatbots meeting certain requirements to be prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist for minors
- Would create a private right of action for consumers in noncompliant commercial transactions and authorize the Attorney General to sue
- Not enacted: referred to House Judiciary January 22, 2026 with no later action; the captured text is partial
Latest legislative action
Jan 22, 2026. Pending House Judiciary; died when the Alabama Legislature's 2026 regular session ended April 9, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 10)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Baker | Primary |
| England | Primary |
| Ernie Yarbrough R | Primary |
| Knight | Primary |
| Lee | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error