AI regulation

The proposed legislation would create new legal protections against AI-generated impersonation and require platforms to provide tools allowing individuals to remove unauthorized digital replicas of themselves.

California State Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) introduced Senate Bill 1142, the “Digital Dignity Act,” to address the use of generative AI tools to create digital replicas of real individuals without their consent.

The bill would clarify that false impersonation under California law includes the use of a “digital replica,” a simulated version of a person’s voice or likeness created using generative AI. The proposal states that distributing content that knowingly uses such replicas to impersonate someone could trigger existing criminal impersonation laws and civil liability for defamation or unauthorized commercial use of a person’s identity.

SB 1142 would obligate gen AI and digital creation platforms to implement a mechanism allowing individuals to revoke access to or remove digital replicas created by others using the platform’s tools.

The proposal would require generative AI providers to maintain records for at least 90 days to support compliance with court orders in enforcement actions. The legislation would authorize the California Attorney General or local city attorneys to bring civil actions seeking penalties and injunctive relief for violations of the act.

Platforms covered by the bill would also need to maintain reporting systems that enable users to flag unauthorized digital replicas and review such reports within 48 hours, and to remove or disable access to content that violates the law.

In announcing the legislation, Becker said in a statement that “artificial intelligence should empower people, and not be weaponized against them.”

The measure has been referred to the California Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection for consideration.

Legislation would require chatbot providers to verify user ages, obtain parental consent for minors, and monitor interactions for self-harm risks.

Representative Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would require companies operating certain AI chatbots to verify users’ ages and implement protections for minors.

The measure, titled the Children Harmed by AI Technology Act, or CHAT Act, was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce..

The legislation would apply to operators of “companion AI chatbots,” defined as software systems designed primarily to simulate emotional interaction, companionship, or therapeutic communication with users. Customer service chatbots, internal research tools, and limited-function game bots would be excluded.

Under the proposal, companies offering these chatbots would be required to create user accounts and verify the age of individuals accessing the systems using commercially available verification methods. Existing user accounts would be frozen until age verification is completed.

If a user is identified as under 18, the provider would be required to link the account to a verified parental account and obtain verifiable parental consent before the minor could continue using the chatbot. The bill would also prohibit minors from accessing companion chatbots that generate sexually explicit communication.

The legislation would require chatbot providers to monitor conversations for signs of suicidal ideation. If such content is detected, the system would need to provide the user and the associated parental account with resources such as contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Companies would also be required to notify users that they are interacting with an artificial system. The bill specifies that a visible notification must appear at the start of an interaction and at least every 60 minutes during continued use.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce the law. The agency would be required to issue compliance guidance within 180 days of enactment to assist companies in meeting the requirements.

Violations of the proposed law could be treated as deceptive acts or practices under federal consumer protection statutes.

The bill would require developers of large AI models to submit detailed notices about copyrighted works used in training before release and retroactively.

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting Act, known as the CLEAR Act, a bipartisan measure that would impose new transparency obligations on companies that develop generative artificial intelligence models.

Under the bill, developers of generative AI platforms would be required to provide the U.S. Copyright Office with a detailed summary of every copyrighted work included in the dataset used to train the AI, and, where publicly available, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for each work. AI models already publicly available would be subject to similar filings within a specified period after the Copyright Office issues accompanying regulations.

The bill would also require the Copyright Office to establish and maintain a publicly accessible online database of notices submitted under the law. Developers would face potential civil penalties for failing to submit required disclosures or for using materials not listed in a filed notice.

If enacted, the CLEAR Act’s notice requirements would apply to companies that create and put into public use generative AI models, including both new systems and existing ones. The intent is to provide creators with clearer information on whether and how their copyrighted works have been used in the creation of AI training datasets.

Senator Schiff said in a statement that the legislation would help ensure “transparency in the development of AI models and making sure creators are fairly compensated for their work.” Senator Curtis said the bill “protects creators’ intellectual property while providing clear expectations for companies.”

Senators cite national security concerns and potential conflicts of interest tied to the transfer of advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates.

On February 5, 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Kim (D-Haw.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), introduced Senate Resolution 598, condemning and calling for the reversal of President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the export of advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The resolution states that the Senate “condemns President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the United Arab Emirates” and “calls for the reversal of that decision.” It was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

The resolution text expresses concerns about national security risks associated with the UAE receiving advanced AI chips, citing longstanding concerns about the country’s ties with the People’s Republic of China. The resolution also references a transaction in which representatives of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly signed a deal to purchase nearly a majority stake in a Trump family-affiliated company shortly before Mr. Trump’s 2025 inauguration.

The resolution states that, after the reported deal was signed, UAE officials met repeatedly with President Trump and other administration officials to advocate for access to advanced AI chips, and that the UAE’s potential diversion of these chips to China could jeopardize U.S. national security.

Senate resolutions do not have the force of law; they express the Senate’s sense on a matter but do not create binding requirements. As introduced, S.Res. 598 remains with the committee and has not been voted on.

In submitting the resolution, Senator Warren stated the measure “condemns this decision and urges its reversal to protect our national security.”

Introduced bills come despite a federal edict declaring states cannot enact AI regulations.

The Alabama Legislature introduced and advanced two separate AI-related bills, less than eight days apart, both moving forward after the effective date of a White House policy urging states not to regulate AI.

Senate Bill 63 (SB63) was introduced by State Senator Arthur Orr (R) and referred to the Senate Committee on Healthcare. Under the bill text, any healthcare insurer using AI, an algorithm, or other software tools in utilization review must base determinations on an enrollee’s full medical history and clinical circumstances, certify annually to the Alabama Department of Insurance that its AI tools meet specified criteria, and disclose to enrollees when AI is used in review processes. The bill would also require that denials, reductions, or deferrals be reviewed or made only by a licensed physician or other qualified health care professional. Insurers would have to make available statistics on AI-related denials and ensure that patient data is not used beyond intended purposes consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). SB63 remains pending in committee.

A separate measure, House Bill 324 (HB324), was introduced in the House just eight days later by State Representative Parker Moore (R). HB324 would require AI chatbot deployers to implement “reasonable age verification processes” for users and define covered entities as those that own or operate chatbots. The bill text defines terms such as “AI chatbot,” “minor,” and “therapeutic chatbot,” establishes requirements for age-verified user accounts, and mandates that covered entities ensure chatbots do not make certain human-like features available to minors. It also outlines conditions under which therapeutic chatbots could be made available to minors, including assessment and prescription by licensed mental health professionals, and allows civil actions for violations. HB324 is pending further action in the House.