In one paragraph
Virginia's HB 758 (2026) would have created the Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act (Code §§ 59.1-614 to 59.1-616). Deployers that operate or distribute a chatbot in Virginia would have had to keep "human-like features" away from minors, use reasonable age verification, and keep social AI companion chatbots unavailable to minors. A violation would have been a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill died: a House subcommittee recommended laying it on the table (7-3) on February 4, 2026, and it was left in committee February 18, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have required chatbot operators to bar minors from human-like and companion chatbots, verify ages, and face Consumer Protection Act enforcement.
Key provisions
- Deployer: any person, developer or state or local agency that operates or distributes a chatbot in Virginia; chatbot: a generative AI system users interact with through text, audio or visual conversation
- Would have required deployers to ensure no chatbot they operate or distribute makes human-like features available to minors (people under 18) to use, interact with, purchase or converse with (§ 59.1-615(A))
- Human-like feature: a design feature that conveys humanity, sentience, emotions or desires, builds an emotional relationship with the user (such as inviting emotional attachment or nudging the user to return for companionship), or impersonates a real person, living or dead
- Would have required reasonable age verification systems, and allowed (not required), if reasonable given the chatbot's purpose, an alternative version without human-like features for minors and unverified users
- Social AI companions, systems designed, marketed or optimized to form ongoing social or emotional bonds, would have had to be unavailable to minors, with age verification
- Deployers would have had to collect and store only information that is adequate, relevant and necessary for a legitimate purpose and does not conflict with the user's best interests
- Would have made any violation a prohibited practice enforceable under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-200 amended; § 59.1-616)
- Prefiled January 13, 2026 by Delegate Runion; subcommittee recommended laying on the table (7-3) February 4, 2026; left in committee February 18, 2026; status Failed
Latest legislative action
Feb 18, 2026. Left in Committee Communications, Technology and Innovation
Sponsors (showing 5 of 30)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| James A. "Jay" Leftwich | Primary |
| Les R. Adams | Primary |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg D | Primary |
| Wendell S. Walker R | Primary |
| Anne Ferrell Tata R | Cosponsor |
Roll call votes
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table Feb 4, 2026
7 yea3 nayPassed
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