AI Frontier Institute

Artificial intelligence; age verification systems required for chatbots, safeguard protocols required, therapy chatbot requirements established, private right of action and enforcement provided for

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Alabama HB324 (introduced Jan. 22, 2026; referred to House Judiciary, not enacted) would regulate AI chatbots, especially for minors (under 19). If enacted, covered entities (anyone who owns, operates, or makes an AI chatbot available to people in the U.S.) would have to: require a user account for every user (Sec. 2(a)); freeze existing accounts until the user passes a "reasonable age verification process" (government ID or other commercial age verification; a self-entered birth date or IP/device inference does not qualify), classify users as minors or adults, and periodically re-review accounts (Sec. 2(b)); and either keep human-like features (e.g., claiming sentience or emotions, fostering emotional attachment) away from minors or offer minors an alternative version without them where reasonable (Sec. 2(c)). Third-party verification vendors may be used, but the entity stays liable (Sec. 2(d)). Entities must keep reasonably effective systems to detect, respond to, report, and mitigate emergency situations in which a user intends to harm themselves or others (Sec. 2(e)). They may collect and store only the minimum information needed for a legitimate purpose and not in conflict with a trusted party's best interests (Sec. 2(f)). Under Sec. 3, therapeutic chatbots may be made available to minors if they meet conditions: a clear AI disclaimer, no marketing as a substitute for a human professional, assessment, prescription and monitoring by a licensed mental health professional, peer-reviewed clinical trial data, transparency about functions, limits and data privacy, and clear accountability for harm. Sec. 4 gives a minor (or a parent or guardian) a private right of action, including class actions, for injunctive relief and actual damages or statutory damages up to $750 per violation, whichever is greater. Sec. 5 lets the Attorney General sue to enjoin violations and seek civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, or up to $7,500 for an intentional violation. Sec. 6 sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

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