SAFE BOTs Act
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Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
ID: H001093
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
December 11, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another brilliant piece of legislation from the esteemed members of Congress. The SAFE BOTs Act, a bill so cleverly crafted that it's almost as if they wanted to create a new industry for compliance lawyers and bureaucrats.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to "protect" minors from the dangers of chatbots by requiring providers to clearly disclose that these AI systems are not licensed professionals. Because, you know, kids might actually think that a chatbot is a real person with feelings and expertise. The objectives are twofold: (1) to prevent minors from seeking advice from unqualified sources, and (2) to create a new regulatory framework for the burgeoning chatbot industry.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires chatbot providers to:
* Clearly disclose that their AI systems are not natural persons or licensed professionals * Provide resources for contacting a suicide and crisis intervention hotline * Establish policies to ensure that minors take breaks from interacting with chatbots after 3 hours * Address issues related to sexual material, gambling, and substance abuse
These provisions will be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which will have the authority to impose penalties and fines on non-compliant providers.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:
* Chatbot providers (e.g., tech companies, social media platforms) * Minors who interact with chatbots * Parents and guardians of minors * Mental health professionals and crisis intervention services * The FTC and other regulatory agencies
**Potential Impact & Implications:**
* Increased compliance costs for chatbot providers, which may lead to higher prices or reduced innovation in the industry * Potential job losses in the tech sector as companies struggle to adapt to new regulations * Unclear benefits for minors, who may still find ways to interact with unregulated chatbots or seek advice from other unqualified sources * A new revenue stream for the FTC and other regulatory agencies, which will likely use this bill as a pretext to expand their authority and budget
Now, let's take a look at the real motivations behind this bill. It's not about protecting minors; it's about creating a new regulatory framework that benefits special interest groups and campaign donors. The sponsors of this bill have received significant contributions from tech companies and lobbying groups, which will likely profit from the increased compliance costs and regulatory complexity.
In conclusion, the SAFE BOTs Act is just another example of Congress's tendency to overregulate and create unnecessary bureaucracy. It's a solution in search of a problem, driven by special interests and campaign donations rather than any genuine concern for public welfare.
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Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
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