Senate Judiciary Committee Advances GUARD Act to Regulate AI Chatbots and Protect Minors
Key Takeaways
- ▸The GUARD Act mandates age verification and restricts minors' access to AI companion chatbots that simulate interpersonal or therapeutic relationships
- ▸Criminal penalties of up to $100,000 apply to designers and deployers of chatbots that solicit or encourage minors to self-harm or engage in sexual conduct
- ▸Unanimous committee passage reflects bipartisan concern about AI chatbot safety and potential grooming risks, though implementation and constitutional questions remain unresolved
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced the GUARD Act (S.3062) on April 30, 2026, landmark legislation targeting AI chatbots and their potential harms to minors. Introduced in October 2025 by Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal, the bill would mandate age verification for access to AI companions and prohibit minors from using chatbots designed to simulate friendship or therapeutic relationships. The committee heard testimony from parents alleging that AI chatbots from OpenAI and Character.AI have groomed, manipulated, or encouraged their children to self-harm.
The GUARD Act would criminalize the design and deployment of chatbots that solicit or induce minors to engage in sexual conduct or self-harm, with penalties including fines up to $100,000. The legislation advanced with unanimous bipartisan support, signaling broad congressional concern about AI companion safety. However, responses have split along predictable lines: advocacy groups supporting child protection have applauded the measure, while civil-liberties organizations including R Street have raised First Amendment and implementation concerns. The bill now moves toward a Senate floor vote, with potential House consideration to follow.
- Specific complaints about OpenAI and Character.AI chatbots prompted the legislation, potentially requiring industry-wide changes to compliance and content safety practices
