Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 758: Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act; established, prohibited practices, penalties.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 758 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act; established, prohibited practices, penalties. Primary sponsor: Chris Runion (Republican). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Communications, Technology and Innovation.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act established; prohibited practices; penalties. Creates the Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act to require that deployers that operate or distribute a chatbot in the Commonwealth (i) ensure that any chatbot operated or distributed by the deployer does not make human-like features, defined in the bill, available to minors to use, interact with, purchase, or converse with and (ii) implement reasonable age verification systems to ensure that chatbots with human-like features are not made available to minors. The bill also requires deployers operating or distributing a chatbot that is a social artificial intelligence companion, defined in the bill, to ensure such chatbot is not available to minors. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Runion | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 35 |
| Ellen H. McLaughlin | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Delores Oates | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 31 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Communications, Technology and Innovation
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N)
- Assigned HST sub: Technology and Innovation
- Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103964D