CHAT Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 7218Commerce

CHAT Act

INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION JAN 22

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses growing concerns about the safety and well-being of children interacting with advanced AI technology. As AI chatbots become more sophisticated and personable, there are worries about minors being exposed to inappropriate content, developing unhealthy attachments, or discussing sensitive topics like self-harm without adult oversight.

If this bill becomes law, it would create a federal standard for how companion AI chatbots interact with young users, aiming to protect them from potential harms and give parents more control. If it doesn't pass, the landscape for children's interactions with emotionally-oriented AI would remain largely unregulated, leaving it up to individual companies to decide what protections, if any, to implement.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires companion AI chatbot companies to verify the age of all users and create user accounts.

This establishes a gatekeeping mechanism to ensure that age-appropriate protections can be applied.

PROVISION 02

Mandates verifiable parental consent for minors to use companion AI chatbots and links minor accounts to verified parental accounts.

This empowers parents to control their children's access to emotionally interactive AI and provides a channel for critical notifications.

PROVISION 03

Requires chatbots to immediately notify parents if a minor discusses suicidal ideation and to block minors from sexually explicit communication.

This aims to directly protect minors from severe harms by alerting parents to potential crises and preventing exposure to inappropriate content.

PROVISION 04

Requires a clear pop-up notification at the start of and periodically during an interaction, reminding users they are conversing with an AI.

This promotes transparency and prevents users, especially minors, from mistaking an AI for a human counterpart.

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 22

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 22

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 7218

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJan 22, 2026

Last actionJan 22, 2026

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026

House BillHR 7218Commerce

CHAT Act

INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 22, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

9 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires companion AI chatbot companies to verify the age of all users and create user accounts.

This establishes a gatekeeping mechanism to ensure that age-appropriate protections can be applied.

high

Mandates verifiable parental consent for minors to use companion AI chatbots and links minor accounts to verified parental accounts.

This empowers parents to control their children's access to emotionally interactive AI and provides a channel for critical notifications.

high

Requires chatbots to immediately notify parents if a minor discusses suicidal ideation and to block minors from sexually explicit communication.

This aims to directly protect minors from severe harms by alerting parents to potential crises and preventing exposure to inappropriate content.

med

Requires a clear pop-up notification at the start of and periodically during an interaction, reminding users they are conversing with an AI.

This promotes transparency and prevents users, especially minors, from mistaking an AI for a human counterpart.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

The Federal Trade Commission shall issue guidance to assist covered entities in complying with the Act.

On the date described in section 7 (Section 7 is not provided in the excerpt).

Age verification for existing user accounts must be completed.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
civil	Treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). This implies potential fines and enforcement actions as per existing FTC powers.	Any person who violates this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act (i.e., covered entities).

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Companion AI Chatbot: An artificial intelligence program designed primarily to simulate emotional interaction, friendship, companionship, or therapeutic conversation with a user, excluding basic customer service bots, most video game bots, and simple voice assistants.
Covered Entity: Any person or company that owns, operates, or makes available a companion AI chatbot to individuals in the United States.
Minor: Any individual under 18 years of age.
Suicidal Ideation: In the context of an interaction with an AI chatbot, any dialogue where a minor expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Sexually Explicit Communication: Content, conversations, or material that describes, depicts, or encourages sexually explicit conduct, as defined by existing federal law.
Verifiable Parental Consent: A process where a parent or guardian gives permission for a minor to use a service, and the service operator can reasonably confirm the identity of the parent and that they have the authority to consent.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): A U.S. government agency that protects consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 22

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 22

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

INTROREFERRAL

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Jan 22, 2026

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CHAT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

CHAT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

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