hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Prohibits AI chatbots from falsely claiming professional licenses or human verification.
Introduced by Rep. Mullin (R-OK) and six Democrats to protect consumers from misleading AI.
Introduced in the House, referred to committee.
The Curbing Harmful AI Tools By Offering Transparency (CHATBOT) Act forbids AI chatbots from implying they have professional licenses (like for law, finance, healthcare, or accounting) or that their output is human-verified if it's not. This applies to marketing, advertising, and the direct provision of AI output. Rep. Mullin (R-OK), along with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, introduced this bill, which was then sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This status means the bill is at the very beginning of the legislative process and has yet to be considered or voted on by the full House.
Introduced Mar 18, 2026
H.R. 7985 was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 18, 2026, and immediately referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. For the bill to advance, the committee must review it, potentially hold hearings, and then vote to send it to the full House for a vote. If it passes the House, it would then move to the Senate for their consideration, before potentially going to the President to be signed into law.
If passed, companies deploying AI chatbots would be legally prohibited from creating or marketing output that implies they have professional licenses in finance, healthcare, legal services, or accounting, or that their advice is human-verified by a licensed professional. Violations could result in action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, or individuals who can sue for damages, including up to $5,000 per violation or more if willful. This means AI tools offering advice in these fields would need to clearly state they are not licensed professionals, ensuring users are not misled about the source or authority of the information they receive.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill protects consumers from potentially harmful or misleading AI-generated advice.
Critics Say
Critics might express concerns about stifling AI innovation or over-regulating technology platforms.
The bill aims to protect consumers from being misled by AI chatbots offering advice in sensitive areas like finance, healthcare, and law without proper licensing. Proponents would highlight the risk of AI generating incorrect or inappropriate advice, potentially leading to financial loss or health risks. They might argue this bill creates necessary safeguards by holding AI providers accountable for false claims about professional qualifications or human verification, thereby building trust in AI tools while preventing harm.