A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Senior Chatbot Protection Act of 2026 aims to establish transparency and safety requirements for artificial intelligence chatbots. It requires companies to disclose when a user is interacting with an AI rather than a human and prevents them from pretending to be licensed professionals. The bill mandates that chatbots detect and respond appropriately to user crises and high-stakes decisions. Additionally, it implements strict data protection rules and prevents deceptive or manipulative design practices. Companies must also report material adverse incidents to the Federal Trade Commission and the National Institutes of Health. Finally, the Act provides for enforcement through the Commission and State attorneys general.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +9
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets protections against manipulative designs that exploit age-related cognitive limitations in older adults.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The act implements strict limits on the collection, retention, and processing of conversation data, requiring affirmative consent for many uses.
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill establishes mandatory disclosures, crisis intervention protocols, and protections against manipulative design for AI chatbot users.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: Chatbots must clearly disclose that they are not human and are not licensed professionals, which helps users understand exactly what they are interacting with (Section 3(a)(1)(A)).
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Safety During Crises: The bill requires chatbots to use evidence-based methods to detect a crisis and refers the user to emergency services or crisis service providers, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Section 3(a)(1)(D)-(E)).
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Protection in High-Stakes Situations: Chatbots must identify when a user is seeking guidance on high-stakes decisions—such as health care, legal matters, or financial transfers—and provide specific disclosures so the information is not relied upon as the sole basis for action (Section 3(a)(1)(B)-(C)).
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Prevention of Manipulation: The Act requires companies to prevent design practices that take advantage of age-related cognitive limitations or encourage excessive, prolonged engagement (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Enhanced Data Privacy: There are strict limits on when a covered entity can collect or retain conversation data, requiring affirmative consent for many uses and providing users the ability to delete their history (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Compliance Burdens for Entities: Companies (covered entities) are required to develop specific protocols, conduct training, and submit annual reports regarding material adverse incidents (Section 3(a)(2) and Section 4(a)).
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Civil Penalties: Violations of the Act's requirements regarding the operation of chatbots can result in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for each knowing or reckless violation (Section 5(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets protections against manipulative designs that exploit age-related cognitive limitations in older adults. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill requires chatbot disclosures to be compatible with assistive technologies and accessible to users. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill protects against manipulative financial decisions that could impact an individual's financial security.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The act implements strict limits on the collection, retention, and processing of conversation data, requiring affirmative consent for many uses.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill establishes mandatory disclosures, crisis intervention protocols, and protections against manipulative design for AI chatbot users.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill requires chatbots to detect crises and refer users to crisis service providers like the 988 Lifeline.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reporting of material adverse incidents to the FTC and NIH, which are then published publicly.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides protections for financial high-stakes decisions which may help protect individual assets.
- 7/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia