SAFE BOTs Act
Latest action (5 Dec 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 6489, the SAFE BOTs Act, would impose new requirements on companies that provide AI chatbots to consumers when the user is known—or should reasonably be known—to be a minor under 17. Chatbots could not falsely claim to be a licensed professional. Providers would have to clearly disclose, in plain, age-appropriate language, that the chatbot is an AI system and not a person (at the start of the first interaction and whenever a minor asks), and provide suicide/crisis hotline information if a minor raises suicide or suicidal ideation. Providers would also need policies encouraging breaks after three continuous hours of use and addressing exposure to sexual material harmful to minors, gambling, and illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol.
The bill mainly affects companies operating consumer chatbots (with an exception for services where chat is only incidental to another purpose) and minor users of those chatbots. Requirements would take effect one year after enactment, be enforced by the FTC as an unfair-or-deceptive-practice violation, and could also be enforced by state attorneys general, subject to coordination with federal action. States would be barred from imposing their own separate rules on these same matters. The bill also directs a four-year NIH study on chatbots' mental health effects on minors, with a report to Congress.
The bill was introduced December 5, 2025, by Rep. Erin Houchin and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It has not yet received committee or floor action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on December 5, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6489 do?
- H.R. 6489, the SAFE BOTs Act, would impose new requirements on companies that provide AI chatbots to consumers when the user is known—or should reasonably be known—to be a minor under 17. Chatbots could not falsely claim to be a licensed professional. Providers would have to clearly disclose, in plain, age-appropriate language, that the chatbot is an AI system and not a person (at the start of the first interaction and whenever a minor asks), and provide suicide/crisis hotline information if a minor raises suicide or suicidal ideation. Providers would also need policies encouraging breaks after three continuous hours of use and addressing exposure to sexual material harmful to minors, gambling, and illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. The bill mainly affects companies operating consumer chatbots (with an exception for services where chat is only incidental to another purpose) and minor users of those chatbots. Requirements would take effect one year after enactment, be enforced by the FTC as an unfair-or-deceptive-practice violation, and could also be enforced by state attorneys general, subject to coordination with federal action. States would be barred from imposing their own separate rules on these same matters. The bill also directs a four-year NIH study on chatbots' mental health effects on minors, with a report to Congress. The bill was introduced December 5, 2025, by Rep. Erin Houchin and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It has not yet received committee or floor action.
- Has H.R. 6489 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Dec 2025, H.R. 6489 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6489?
- H.R. 6489 was sponsored by Rep. Erin Houchin [R-IN9] (Republican-IN), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6489?
- Introduced (5 Dec 2025).
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