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HB 635

Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Act; established, prohibited practices, penalties.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 4 co-sponsors

Virginia HB 635 regulates AI chatbot operations by establishing prohibited practices and penalties, aiming to protect consumers from harmful automated systems.

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
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Bill Summary · HB 635

Legislative bill overview

HB 635 establishes regulations for artificial intelligence chatbots in Virginia, prohibiting certain practices and establishing penalties for violations. The bill aims to govern how AI chatbots operate and interact with users within the state. Specific prohibited practices and penalty structures depend on the bill's full text, which determines the scope and enforceability of these regulations.

Why is this important

As AI chatbots become increasingly prevalent in consumer services, healthcare, finance, and government interactions, regulatory frameworks are needed to protect users from potential harms. Virginia's legislation could set precedent for other states and influence how companies deploy AI systems. The bill addresses gaps between rapid AI advancement and existing consumer protection laws.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: How broadly "artificial intelligence chatbots" are defined could either narrowly target specific harms or create compliance burdens for companies developing legitimate AI tools
  • Innovation vs. regulation trade-off: Strict prohibitions might discourage AI development and business investment in Virginia, or conversely, weak regulations might fail to protect consumers from deceptive practices
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Unclear who enforces violations (Attorney General, regulatory agencies) and whether penalties are sufficient deterrents versus punitive overreach affecting small businesses

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

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