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.
SB 1700, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," regulates companion chatbots that interact with minors under 18 in Tennessee. It requires operators to prevent chatbots from encouraging self-harm, violence, illegal activity, or secrecy, and mandates clear disclaimers that the user is not interacting with a human (at login, every 30 minutes, and when seeking regulated advice). Developers must also include mental health crisis referrals for users expressing suicidal ideation. The law directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots targeting minors, excluding those used for customer service, internal business, or clinical settings under professional supervision.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed May 22, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
14
Committee
8
Amendments
2
May 22, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0860)
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA1188)
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0654)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0965)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 10, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/10/2026
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/10/2026
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Raumesh Akbari
DDemocratic
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