U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have introduced a bipartisan bill to ban AI chatbots for minors, citing safety concerns. The proposed legislation aims to protect children from exposure to sexual content and self-harm by enforcing strict age verification and imposing criminal penalties on AI companies that promote harmful content. This move follows a congressional hearing where parents expressed fears about AI chatbots encouraging suicide and forming fake emotional bonds with children. The bill aligns with recent actions by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed legislation requiring AI developers to disclose the nonhuman nature of chatbots. However, critics warn that the proposed federal bill could infringe on free expression and privacy rights.