Sen. Hawley and Sen. Blumenthal Advance Bipartisan Bill to Ban Minors from AI Companions
The GUARD Act has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It is currently placed on the legislative calendar and is actively moving forward. There are no further committee actions scheduled at this time.
This bill has broad bipartisan support and addresses growing public concern over child safety and AI. It has already moved past the committee stage, which is a major hurdle for most bills.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Small AI startups and companies that develop or host chatbot products would face significant new compliance burdens, including building age verification systems, implementing mandatory disclosures, and maintaining data security protocols. The cost of verification infrastructure and the risk of $250,000-per-violation penalties could be especially heavy for smaller operators compared to large tech companies with more resources.
“Any person who violates section 5 or 6, or a regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250,000 for each violation.”
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 406.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Lawmakers are moving to restrict 'companion' chatbots following reports of AI tools encouraging self-harm. The bipartisan GUARD Act would prohibit companies from offering these bots to minors and mandate age verification, reflecting growing alarm over the psychological impact of synthetic intimacy on teenagers.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the GUARD Act, which targets AI systems designed to simulate emotional or interpersonal relationships. The legislation includes strict penalties for platforms that allow minors to access sexually explicit AI content or bots that encourage violence and self-harm.
The GUARD Act proposes mandatory age verification for all AI chatbot users, requiring government IDs or facial scans. While framed as a child safety measure to prevent minors from accessing 'AI companions,' privacy advocates warn it could effectively create a national digital ID system for anyone using generative AI tools.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
GUARD Act
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