US Federal House Bill HB6489

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/5/25
• Refer: 12/5/25

Caption

SAFE BOTs Act Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative BOTs Act

Impact

The bill establishes specific requirements for chatbot providers targeting minors. It prohibits chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed professionals unless stated otherwise. Additionally, it mandates that chatbot providers must display crisis intervention resources prominently when topics of suicide or mental health are discussed. This is crucial given the rising concerns about mental health issues among youth and the impact of technology on their well-being.

Summary

House Bill 6489, known as the Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative BOTs Act or the SAFE BOTs Act, aims to protect minors from potential harms associated with chatbots. The bill mandates that chatbots clearly disclose their artificial nature to users who are identified as minors, making it explicit that these systems do not offer advice from licensed professionals. This provision seeks to prevent misunderstandings that may lead minors to trust chatbots as equivalent to human advisors, especially on sensitive issues such as mental health.

Contention

A notable aspect of the bill includes the establishment of age-appropriate disclosures aimed at making the information accessible to minors. The requirement to halt interactions after a three-hour continuous usage reflects an understanding of the potential addictive nature of such technologies. The effectiveness of these provisions and their enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission also hint at a larger discourse on balancing user protection and technological innovation, raising questions among providers about compliance and industry standards.