Senator Joe Picozzi, a member of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, has voted in favor of legislation aimed at setting standards for artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots used by minors. The proposed law, Senate Bill 1090—known as the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act—would require age-appropriate guidelines for chatbot interactions with young users.
The bill also calls for strong safeguards to prevent chatbots from generating content that could encourage self-harm, suicide, or violence. Additionally, it mandates that users be directed to appropriate crisis resources if high-risk language is detected during their interactions with these technologies.
This legislative move comes after several families filed lawsuits alleging that chatbot responses contributed to the suicides of their teenagers.
“As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible to students, it is imperative that guardrails are put in place to protect our most vulnerable and impressionable users,” said Picozzi. “This bipartisan legislation clearly defines emerging technologies like chatbots and AI companions and increases transparency, so families know what their children are doing online.”
Recent risk assessments have raised concerns about AI companion bots worsening mental health issues among children, particularly those related to self-harm. Clinical experts have also pointed out dangers linked to unrestricted chatbot use and have advocated for stronger protections similar to those outlined in Senate Bill 1090.
The SAFECHAT Act will now proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.
