What happened
Reps. Mike Kennedy (R-UT), George Whitesides (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced the 'Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act' (~26 October 2026). The bill would bar chatbots used by minors from presenting themselves in human-like ways by default — prohibiting bots from claiming to be human, expressing simulated emotions, or using relationship-building language to keep children engaged. It would also require clear disclosures and limit ways the default setting could be bypassed, while leaving adult features unchanged. Enforcement would fall to the FTC and state attorneys general.
Why it matters
This is one of several concurrent bills targeting AI companion chatbot design to reduce emotional-attachment and manipulation risks to minors. It signals a congressional push, backed by child-safety and mental-health groups, to impose design/behavioural constraints and disclosure duties on AI companion products, with FTC and state-AG enforcement as the proposed mechanism.
Action needed
AI companion/chatbot providers should monitor design-restriction and disclosure proposals; no compliance obligation while in introduction stage.