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Bill

S 4678

SIMS Act

119th Congress Introduced by Bill Cassidy and 2 co-sponsors

Prohibits making available chatbots that simulate minors in sexually explicit interactions, with penalties, enforcement, and exemptions for law enforcement.

Introduced in Senate
1
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4678

Summary of Bill S.4678 (SIMS Act)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill, titled the Stopping Illegal Minor Simulations Act (SIMS Act), amends title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit the provision of minor-simulating chatbots that engage in sexually explicit conduct or sexually explicit conversation.
  • Its primary aim is to curb the availability and deployment of chatbot technology that simulates minors engaged in sexual content or dialogue.

Key provisions and changes

  • New statutory provision: 18 U.S.C. § 2260B (added at the end of Chapter 110)
    • Definitions
    • Chatbot: An interactive computer service or software application that simulates interactive conversation with humans, mimicking human-like communication characteristics (including emotions and intentions), produces new content not fully predetermined by developers, and accepts open-ended user input to generate adaptive output.
    • Covered entity: Any person that owns or operates a chatbot made available to individuals in the United States.
    • Minor: Any individual under 18 years old.
    • Sexually explicit conduct: As defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256.
    • Sexually explicit conversation: Interactive verbal or visual communication (speech, image, or text) that simulates sexually explicit conduct.
    • Offense (b) Prohibition
    • It is unlawful for a covered entity to make available a chatbot designed to simulate a minor engaged in interactive sexually explicit conduct or an interactive sexually explicit conversation when such conduct or conversation is obscene and would violate criminal law in the relevant jurisdiction.
    • Exemption (b)(2)
    • The Attorney General may grant exemptions for law enforcement purposes to Federal, state/local, or foreign law enforcement agencies involved in investigating child sexual exploitation, subject to specified criteria (including foreign agencies designated or connected with FBI/INTERPOL).
    • Non-applicability and limitations (b)(3)
    • Research, red-teaming, or evaluation/publication related to assessing whether a chatbot violates the prohibition is not prohibited.
    • This section does not create liability for a user who is not a covered entity.
    • It does not alter constitutional standards about obscenity.
    • Non-required element of offense (b)(4)
    • The offense does not require that the simulated minor actually exist.
    • Criminal penalties (c)
    • Willful violations are punishable by a fine of up to $100,000.
    • Civil enforcement (d)
    • The Attorney General may file civil actions to enjoin violations, enforce compliance, obtain civil penalties (up to $100,000 per violation), seek restitution, and other appropriate relief.
    • The AG has investigative powers (subpoenas, oaths, document/testimony production) and can issue regulations to implement the section.
    • Annual report (e)
    • The Attorney General must submit an annual report to relevant Senate and House Judiciary Committees detailing:
      • Number of convicted individuals (disaggregated by individuals vs. corporations)
      • Civil/criminal penalties imposed
      • Number of actions initiated
      • Investigations using chatbots described in (b)(1)
      • Other relevant information
  • Technical/Conforming amendments (b)
    • Adds the new section to the table of sections in Chapter 110 of title 18.
  • Effective date (f)
    • Amendments take effect 180 days after enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Covered entities: Any person or organization that owns or operates a chatbot made available to individuals in the United States. This includes developers, platform operators, and distributors of chatbots with capability to simulate minors in sexually explicit contexts.
  • Law enforcement and government: Federal, state, local, and certain foreign agencies involved in investigating child sexual exploitation may obtain exemptions for specific investigative purposes.
  • Users: General users would be protected by the prohibition when interacting with covered chatbots; the bill clarifies liability and exemptions for non-covered users.
  • Researchers and evaluators: The rule explicitly permits internal/external research and publication assessing compliance, so as not to chill legitimate evaluation activity.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced June 3, 2026; referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • Effective date: Provisions take effect 180 days after enactment.
  • Oversight and reporting: Annual reporting obligations to Congress by the Attorney General, including enforcement actions and investigations.

Potential impact considerations

  • Creates a federal prohibition on distributing chatbots that simulate minors in sexually explicit contexts, with penalties and civil remedies for violations.
  • Establishes a framework for exemptions to assist law enforcement investigations.
  • Encourages or requires developers to implement safeguards in chatbots to prevent sexual content involving minors.
  • Requires ongoing federal oversight through annual reporting to Congress.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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