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A bill for an act relating to the requirements for chatbot deployers, including required protocols, limitations on data collection, and requirements for minors to interact with artificial intelligence companions and therapeutic chatbots, and providing civil penalties, punitive penalties, and civil…
In one paragraph
Not law. HF 2204 would have required anyone offering a chatbot to the public in Iowa to keep protocols to detect, respond to and reduce harm to users, putting user safety first, and to collect only the data it needs. Deployers would have had to use age verification to keep minors from AI companions (chatbots that simulate a romantic or emotional bond), get permission before offering chatbots that impersonate real people, and meet strict conditions, including a licensed professional's recommendation and clinical trial evidence, before offering therapeutic chatbots to minors. It was referred to committee on January 29, 2026 and died when the 2026 session adjourned.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died, so it creates no obligations for chatbot providers in Iowa.
Key provisions
- Chatbot deployers must keep protocols to detect, respond to, report and mitigate harm to users, putting users' safety ahead of the deployer's interests
- Collect and store only the user information needed for the chatbot's purpose
- Reasonable age verification (ID, financial documents or another reliable method) so minors cannot use or buy AI companions that simulate a romantic or emotional bond
- No chatbot knowingly designed to impersonate a real person, living or dead, without permission (limited exceptions for deceased people with no estate representative)
- Therapeutic chatbots for minors only with an AI disclaimer at every interaction, a licensed psychologist's or mental health professional's recommendation after evaluating the minor, documented testing, peer-reviewed clinical evidence, disclosures to parents and risk protocols
- Attorney General enforcement with civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation ($7,500 for violating an injunction); minors may sue for $100-$750 or actual damages, plus emotional distress damages and fees
- Introduced January 29, 2026 and referred to the House Economic Growth and Technology Committee; no further action before the 2026 session adjourned
Latest legislative action
Jan 29, 2026. Introduced, referred to Economic Growth and Technology; no further action before the 2026 session adjourned
Sponsors (showing 5 of 10)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| B | Primary |
| Gaines | Primary |
| Kurth | Primary |
| Mascher | Primary |
| Meyer | 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