GUARD Act
Rep. Moore Introduces GUARD Act to Require Age Verification for AI Chatbots
The GUARD Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the House Judiciary and Energy and Commerce committees for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
While there is bipartisan concern about kids and AI, age verification bills often face legal challenges and pushback from tech companies.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small companies that develop or operate AI chatbots would face significant new compliance costs. They would need to implement age verification systems, build account management infrastructure, program mandatory disclosures every 30 minutes, and set up robust data security. Fines of up to $100,000 per violation create serious financial risk for smaller operators who may lack the legal and engineering resources of major tech firms.
“Any person who violates section 5 or 6, or a regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000 for each violation.”
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesSenate panel advances bill to curb AI chatbot 'companions' for kids
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the GUARD Act, which would ban AI companies from providing 'AI companions' to minors and require age verification for all chatbot users. The bill aims to prevent harmful interactions that have been linked to youth mental health crises.
Momentum builds in Congress to ban AI chatbots for kids
Bipartisan support is growing for the GUARD Act, a bill that aims to protect children from the mental health risks and potential sexual exploitation associated with AI companion apps. Lawmakers cited tragic cases of teen suicide as a primary driver for the legislation.
Senate Committee Advances GUARD Act to Protect Kids from AI
The bill imposes criminal penalties on companies whose AI chatbots engage in sexually explicit conduct with minors or encourage self-harm. It also requires chatbots to explicitly state they are not human and prohibits them from pretending to be licensed professionals like doctors or lawyers.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
GUARD Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.