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AI Summary
The Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act mandates chatbot operators to implement safety measures, report incidents, and allows civil action by any person or the parent or legal guardian of a minor harmed by violations.
Business Impact
If you operate AI chatbots for minors, you must implement safety measures and report incidents by July 1, 2024, or face civil penalties.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
The Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act establishes requirements for chatbot operators to protect minors from potential harms associated with AI interactions. It mandates reporting of certain incidents, requires notifying emergency services if a user faces imminent risk, and authorizes the Attorney General to seek an injunction for violations. The bill defines 'covered entity' and 'operator'.
Key Provisions
- Operators must make reasonable efforts to notify emergency services if a user faces imminent risk of death or serious physical injury.
- Operators must report certain covered incidents connected to the chatbot to the Attorney General.
- The Attorney General can seek an injunction for violations.
- Chatbots must disclose their non-human nature at specified intervals.
- Any person harmed by violations, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor harmed by violations, may pursue civil actions.
Latest Legislative Action
Continued to next session in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 16)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Christopher T. Head | Primary |
| Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. | Primary |
| Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. | Primary |
| Ryan T. McDougle R | Primary |
| Surovell | Primary |
Roll Call Votes (showing 3 of 13)
Reconsider: R ·
Feb 17, 2026
40 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
Passage R ·
Feb 17, 2026
39 Yea
1 Nay
Passed ✓
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) ·
Feb 17, 2026
40 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Implement systems to identify emotional dependence and mental health crises.
Who: Covered entities (operators of chatbots with 500,000+ users)
Deadline: Not specified
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Who: Covered entities (operators of chatbots with 500,000+ users)
Deadline: Not specified
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Notify emergency services if a user is at imminent risk of serious harm.
Who: Covered entities
Deadline: Within 24 hours of knowledge of the risk
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Who: Covered entities
Deadline: Within 24 hours of knowledge of the risk
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Submit incident reports to the Attorney General.
Who: Covered entities
Deadline: Within 15 days of knowledge of a covered incident
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Who: Covered entities
Deadline: Within 15 days of knowledge of a covered incident
Penalty: Civil penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
The Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act requires covered entities to implement reasonable systems to ensure user safety. Operators must make reasonable efforts to notify emergency services or law enforcement if a user is at imminent risk of death or serious physical injury and report certain covered incidents connected to the chatbot to the Attorney General. The Attorney General is authorized to initiate an action to seek an injunction for violations. Chatbots must disclose their non-human nature at specified intervals. Any person harmed by violations, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor harmed by violations, may pursue civil actions. The bill defines 'covered entity' and 'operator'.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB796 on official legislature website →
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