AI Frontier Institute

Provides relative to protections for minors regarding use of chatbots

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Louisiana HB 1188 (2026 Regular Session, Rep. Carlson) has not been enacted. After being read by title, it was referred to the House Committee on Commerce on 2026-04-01. If enacted, it would create the "Protecting Minors from Chatbot Harm Act" (new Chapter 35 of Title 51, R.S. 51:2161-2163). R.S. 51:2161 defines terms such as "companion chatbot" (an AI system with a natural-language interface that gives adaptive, human-like responses and can meet users' social needs). It excludes customer-service or business-operations bots, limited video-game bots, and stand-alone voice-assistant speakers. R.S. 51:2162(A) would require a companion chatbot platform to bar a minor (under 18) from becoming or remaining an account holder unless a parent or guardian consents. With consent, the parent or guardian must be able to obtain copies of all chatbot interactions, set daily time limits, limit days and times of use, disable interactions with third-party account holders, and receive timely notice if the minor expresses intent to self-harm or harm others. Without consent, the platform must terminate accounts it treats as minors' for targeting content or advertising, after a 90-day dispute period. Minors may request termination, effective within 5 business days. Consenting parents may request termination, effective within 10 business days. The platform must permanently delete personal information tied to a terminated account unless state or federal law requires keeping it. R.S. 51:2162(B) would require platforms, for minor accounts, to disclose that the user is interacting with AI. They must also show a default break reminder, stating that the chatbot is not human, at the start of interactions and at least hourly. They must also take reasonable measures to prevent the chatbot from producing or encouraging material harmful to minors. R.S. 51:2163 would make knowing or reckless violations an unfair trade practice under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. It would let the attorney general sue and impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, plus attorney fees and costs. Punitive damages would be possible for a consistent pattern of knowing or reckless conduct. Minor account holders could recover up to $10,000 in damages plus costs and fees, with a two-year filing window. The section also establishes state-court jurisdiction over platforms that allow minor account holders in the state, and deems a contract to exist when a platform allows a minor to use it.

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