Legislation aimed at creating safeguards for artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots accessible to minors has advanced in the Pennsylvania Senate. The Senate Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), approved the measure on November 18, 2025.
The proposed bill, known as Senate Bill 1090 or the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act, is sponsored by Senators Pennycuick and Nick Miller (D-14). The legislation seeks to set age-appropriate standards for chatbots used by minors, require measures to prevent content that encourages self-harm or violence, and ensure users are directed to crisis resources if high-risk language is detected.
Recent lawsuits have claimed that chatbot responses contributed to suicides among teenagers who used these tools while dealing with trauma, mental health issues, depression, and anxiety.
Senator Pennycuick said: “As these tools become more common in classrooms, on smartphones and across social platforms, our laws must keep pace to prevent avoidable tragedies. These heartbreaking cases underscore the urgent need for safeguards to protect children from unsafe and unvetted AI systems. Our bill takes a focused approach centered on child safety and prevention, without impeding the promise of technology to serve future generations. I look forward to passage of this legislation so Pennsylvania can further protect our kids and give parents, schools and communities the tools they need to keep young people safe online.”
Senator Miller added: “Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, but as these tools become more accessible to students and young children, we must put safeguards in place to protect them from potential harm. Our bipartisan legislation sets those protections, clearly defining emerging technologies like chatbots and AI companions and increasing transparency so families know what their kids are engaging with. Most importantly, it has the potential to save lives by ensuring that users showing signs of self-harm receive the crisis resources they need. Thank you to Senator Pennycuick for working together to advance this important legislation as we strive to proactively address the risks artificial intelligence may pose to young people in Pennsylvania.”
The bill will move forward for further consideration by the full Senate.
