House Bill 324 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB324 would regulate Alabama AI chatbots by enforcing age verification, limiting data collection, and governing the use of human-like features, with special rules for minors and therapy chatbots, plus enforcement and private rights of action.

What This Bill Does

It requires covered entities to verify the age of each user and restricts minors from using chatbots with human-like features, offering a non-human-like alternative for minors when reasonable. It also requires emergency-detection protocols, limits on what information can be collected and stored, and sets conditions for therapeutic chatbots to be used by minors under medical supervision. It creates a private right of action for consumers in noncompliant transactions and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the act, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Consumers and especially minors who interact with AI chatbots, who would see age verification, access restrictions, and potential remedies for noncompliant transactions.
• AI chatbot deployers and related professionals (including platforms, third-party verifiers, licensed psychiatrists, and state enforcement) who must implement age verification, emergency protocols, data limits, provide non-human-like alternatives for minors, and face private actions or penalties.

Key Provisions

• Define age-verified users and a reasonable age verification process (government ID or other verification) and classify users as minors or adults.
• Prohibit minors from access to chatbots with human-like features or interactions, and require an alternative version without human-like features if reasonably available.
• Require emergency detection and mitigation protocols to protect users in self-harm or harm-to-others situations.
• Limit the type and amount of information AI chatbots can collect and store; require data minimization.
• Allow therapeutic AI chatbots for minors only if prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist and meeting specific safety, transparency, and accountability standards.
• Create a private right of action for consumers against noncompliant transactions and authorize AG enforcement, with specified damages and penalties.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumer Protection