Consumer Protection - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the potential regulation of artificial intelligence systems and generative artificial intelligence chatbots in this state. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 37 and Title 47.
HB 1946, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," prohibits AI chatbots designed to mimic human relationships (called "companion chatbots") from being made available to minors in Tennessee if they could encourage self-harm, illegal activity, secrecy, or unsafe isolation. It requires companies to display clear disclaimers that the chatbot is not human during use and to notify users every 30 minutes. The bill also mandates that AI chatbots detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm expressions and redirect users to crisis services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots in Tennessee that interact with minors, excluding standard customer service or internal business AI.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Last action May 27, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
12
Committee
16
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee to the TACIR Calendar
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Harold Love
DDemocratic
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