Source: U.S. House press release (foushee.house.gov)

WASHINGTON, DC (July 9, 2026) — Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) introduced H.R. 9619, the People-First Chatbot Act, to create federal safeguards for Americans interacting with AI chatbots. The bill would build on the bipartisan GUARD Act and requires developers to prioritize user safety, privacy, transparency, and accountability in product design. It would prohibit using minors’ chat logs or personal data to train AI systems and require affirmative consent before using adult users’ chat logs for training.

The Act would mandate clear disclosure when users interact with chatbots, bar chatbot providers from implying outputs equal licensed healthcare, legal, accounting, or financial advice, and require monthly safety assessments focused on risks such as suicide, emotional dependence, and compulsive usage. It would require companies to disable harmful design features for minors, limit use of personal data for targeted ads, and give users rights to access and delete retained chat logs. The bill would prevent law enforcement access to chat logs without a warrant, require disclosure when chatbots are used for customer service with a right to a human operator, and authorize enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and individuals via a private right of action. The release lists numerous endorsements from consumer, education, privacy, and advocacy organizations supporting the legislation.