GUARD Act 2026: Senate Advances AI Chatbot Age Verification with $100K Penalties for Harm to Minors

# GUARD Act 2026: Senate Advances AI Chatbot Age Verification with $100K Penalties for Harm to Minors

> **Quick answer:** The GUARD Act (S.3062) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously 22-0 on April 30, 2026. It bans minors from using AI companion chatbots, requires verified age checks for all covered AI systems, and imposes criminal fines up to $100,000 when chatbots encourage self-harm or sexual conduct involving a minor. The law would take effect 180 days after presidential signature — but civil liberties groups warn its definitions are broad enough to restrict teenagers from using homework tools, customer service bots, and AI-enhanced search engines.

The GUARD Act Senate vote marks the most significant federal action on AI regulation targeting minors in the technology's history. On April 30, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue Act with a 22-0 vote — a rare bipartisan consensus — setting up a full Senate floor vote that could reshape how every major AI company operates in the United States.

## What the GUARD Act Actually Does

The GUARD Act (S.3062), introduced by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on October 28, 2025, has three core mandates.

**Mandatory age verification.** Any company offering a "covered AI chatbot" must implement a reasonable age verification system before granting access. Critically, the bill explicitly states that simply asking users to confirm they are not a minor — or to enter a birth date — does not qualify as a reasonable measure. Companies must use more robust verification, likely including government-issued ID checks or third-party identity services.