Virginia’s Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) is actively examining the risks associated with AI chatbots, especially regarding their interaction with minors, in response to previously unsuccessful legislative attempts. This research aims to provide Virginia lawmakers with a detailed understanding of observable harms and policy options to regulate AI chatbots more effectively in upcoming sessions.
What Happened
In early 2026, two bills in the Virginia General Assembly—House Bill 635 and Senate Bill 796—focused on AI chatbot companionship and minor protections, but both failed to pass. Following this, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, a permanent legislative agency created by the Virginia General Assembly, conducted comprehensive research and released a supplementary report analyzing chatbots’ companionship aspects and risks to minors. The report was based on these bills and current developments, with the goal of informing future legislative efforts.
Key Facts
JCOTS operates as the research arm of the Virginia General Assembly and consists of 12 elected legislators who direct research on technology and science policy topics. The commission’s chief policy analyst, Dr. Kira Allmann, led the research examining AI chatbot harms, with special focus on “companion chatbots” and their emotional interactions with users.
The 2026 bills HB635 and SB796, which addressed safeguarding minors from potential harms caused by AI chatbots marketed or utilized for companionship, were stalled amid concerns about federal AI regulatory approaches. Notably, a White House executive order in December 2025 warned of funding repercussions—particularly regarding the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program—that contributed to a chilling effect on state AI legislation in Virginia.
The reports emphasize that policy should focus less on commercial chatbot classifications and more on the behavior and design of chatbots that facilitate emotionally charged interactions capable of causing harm. JCOTS’ investigatory work includes synthesizing public research and original analyses to present actionable policy considerations to legislators.
What This Means
Virginia’s research into chatbot-related harms signals a growing recognition among state legislators of the complex challenges posed by AI companions, particularly for vulnerable populations like minors. The failure of previous legislation partly due to concerns about federal pushback illustrates the delicate balance states must navigate between proactive AI governance and maintaining federal funding.
The focus on emotional interaction dynamics rather than just chatbot marketing categories highlights a nuanced approach that could influence how future laws define and regulate chatbots. This shift represents a more sophisticated understanding of AI’s social effects, moving beyond simple device categorization toward behavior-based regulation, which may become a template for other jurisdictions.
For the public and industries alike, this evolving scrutiny means that AI developers might soon face clearer regulatory expectations concerning user safety, particularly to mitigate risks such as emotional manipulation or harm to minors. Virginia’s work contributes to setting precedents that could form part of a broader state-level environment of AI oversight in the absence of definitive federal statutes.
Background
JCOTS was established by the Virginia General Assembly as a small, bipartisan commission staffed by policy analysts who extensively research emerging science and technology issues for legislative consideration. The examination of AI technologies such as chatbots fits within its mandate to provide lawmakers with data-driven insights and policy options.
The December 2025 White House executive order played a significant role in shaping the legislative context, signaling potential penalties for states enacting AI laws deemed too burdensome or misaligned with anticipated federal AI policies. This executive stance contributed to many AI-related bills in Virginia being tabled or withdrawn in the 2026 session.
What Remains Unclear
Key uncertainties include how Virginia legislators will respond to the commission’s recommendations in the next session, whether revised or new bills will be introduced, and how potential federal AI regulations might evolve to clarify the bounds of permissible state-level AI lawmaking.
Additionally, the scientific understanding of AI chatbot harms, especially related to emotional companionship and its mental health impacts on minors, remains an emerging field. This ongoing ambiguity complicates enacting specifically targeted and effective laws.
What Comes Next
The Joint Commission on Technology and Science is expected to continue producing detailed reports on AI and other emergent technologies to guide Virginia’s General Assembly. Legislators will likely revisit chatbot regulation in future sessions armed with this research, possibly reintroducing bills informed by the commission’s findings.
Meanwhile, federal AI policy developments and guidance could influence state legislative strategies, potentially prompting amendments to proposed laws or affecting their viability.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following sources:
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