The bipartisan Guidelines for User Age-Verification and Responsible Dialogue Act (GUARD Act, H.R. 8623, S. 3062) is a measured, necessary step to ensure innovation does not come at the expense of children’s safety. The Senate bill has been reported out of Senate Judiciary Committee by a unanimous vote and is pending floor action. 

The GUARD Act establishes guardrails by requiring verifiable age checks before access to AI chatbots and prohibiting minors from using AI companions that simulate emotional or romantic attachment. The bill makes it unlawful to design or distribute AI systems that solicit sexual content from minors or promote violence or self-harm. The bill also mandates clear disclosure, so users know they are engaging with a machine – not a real person or professional.