# House Members Introduce AI Chatbot Safeguards Bill

On October 1, 2026, Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, George Whitesides, Mike Kennedy, and Doris Matsui introduced the bipartisan Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act. The proposal would establish default safeguards for AI chatbots used by minors and authorize enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general; it also points to proposed NIST work with industry and academia on testing standards and examples of compliant behavior. The signal announces no contract, funding, or solicitation, and the bill is a proposal rather than a current procurement requirement.

- AI developers and safety-testing providers should track the bill’s progress and NIST’s proposed work, as these could shape future expectations for chatbot safeguards and testing.
- Government procurement professionals can distinguish these prospective policy and standards developments from an active acquisition or compliance mandate; no procurement opportunity or deadline is identified.
- The proposal makes child-safety features, age-related safeguards, and testing capabilities relevant areas for industry to assess in planning for potential future government requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Policy
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. House of Representatives (U.S. House)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- State attorneys general

### Key Quotes
> By requiring developers to build safety standards into their models before they start interacting with children, we can ensure that these tools are trained correctly, in a way that does not negatively impact their mental health or personal relationships.
> — George Whitesides, U.S. Representative

> We look forward to continue clarifying the age assurance language as federal and state frameworks evolve, and are eager to work with the new Congress on clear, privacy-preserving standards that protect children online and ensure the privacy of every citizen.
> — Julianna Arnold, Founding Member, ParentsRISE!

> A non-personified default setting is a targeted guardrail that will shield children from the deceptive personification of chatbots and put parents back in control.
> — Brad Carson, President, Americans for Responsible Innovation

### Sources
- [Miller-Meeks Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children from Human-Like Chatbots | Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks](https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-protect-children-human-chatbots) - Millermeeks