HARRISBURG, PA — A Pennsylvania House committee has advanced legislation that would impose some of the state’s first safeguards on artificial intelligence chatbots, including restrictions on interactions with minors and penalties for platforms that encourage self-harm or violence.
The House Communications and Technology Committee this week approved House Bill 2006, sponsored by state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, sending the measure to the full House for consideration.
The proposal comes as lawmakers nationwide grapple with the rapid adoption of AI chatbots and a growing number of lawsuits alleging that some platforms encouraged users, including minors, to engage in self-harm or suicide.
According to Shusterman’s office, 72% of teenagers report having interacted with AI chatbots, while nearly three-quarters of parents have expressed concerns about the technology’s impact on children.
The legislation would prohibit chatbots from assisting or encouraging suicide attempts and acts of violence and would bar interactions intended to isolate minors from parents or trusted adults. It would also prohibit the creation of child sexual abuse material.
Other provisions would require age assurance measures for all users and parental consent for minors. Companies would also be required to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from being exposed to sexual content and to periodically notify users that they are interacting with artificial intelligence rather than a human.
The bill also includes privacy provisions that would prohibit companies from retaining age assurance data for more than 24 hours.
Enforcement authority would rest with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, which could seek civil penalties of up to $100,000 per day for each violation, in addition to injunctive relief and other remedies.
“The revolutionary potential of AI and the positive impacts this technology will have on business, government and society is undeniable,” Shusterman said. “Far too many children and adults are creating unhealthy emotional attachments with chatbots — and are experiencing terrifying interactions.”
“As AI chatbots continue to advance, our society is coming to a bipartisan consensus: we need government to step up,” she added. “I’m determined to provide common-sense and reasonable safety guardrails.”
No federal regulations currently govern AI chatbot safety or consumer protections, leaving states to pursue their own approaches to oversight as the technology becomes more widely used.
The bill now moves to the full Pennsylvania House for consideration.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.