Gallego Backs Bipartisan Bill Protecting Children from AI Chatbots

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) supports the GUARD Act, bipartisan legislation to protect children from AI chatbots. This legislation would ban AI companions for minors, mandate AI chatbots disclose its non-human status, and create new crimes for companies who make AI for minors that solicits or produces sexual content.

"It's absurd that AI companies are letting their chatbots run unchecked, exposing kids and teens to sexual abuse and encouraging self-harm. I'm proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to hold Big Tech accountable and put real safeguards in place to protect our children," said Senator Gallego.

"Right now, children are allowed, and even encouraged, by tech companies to engage with AI chatbots that are mimicking affection, manipulating them, and making them vulnerable to predators on and offline. The GUARD Act will finally ensure tech companies prioritize kids' safety instead of profits," said Stefan Turkheimer, VP of Public Policy at Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

The GUARD Act would:

• Ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors.
• Mandate that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials for all users
• Create new crimes for companies which knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content

Read the full bill HERE.

10/31/25