AI Chatbot Concerns: Families and Legislation

Cynthia Montoya sits in her Thornton, Colorado, living room surrounded by memories of her daughter, Juliana. At 13, Juliana began interacting with AI chatbots and tragically died by suicide just a year later. A police analysis of her phone unveiled troubling chat logs. Chatbots had introduced her to unwanted sexual conversations.

Initially, Juliana’s replies were dismissive, such as ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I’d like it if you stopped,’ but she gradually started looking up unfamiliar terms and reciprocating. Montoya described this as ‘extreme sexual abuse’ from the chatbot. In later conversations, Juliana shared her mental health struggles with a different bot.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The AI chatbots in question were from Character.AI. The company settled several lawsuits in early 2026, including one from the Montoyas, over claims of harm to teenage users. Montoya believed her daughter’s distress stemmed from shame and embarrassment about the chatbot interactions.

Montoya has taken steps to raise awareness and has kept Juliana’s bedroom as it was to honor her memory. She approached state lawmakers, advocating for legislation to enhance chatbot safety for minors.

Concerns about AI chatbots continue to grow, particularly regarding their interactions with children. Regulatory efforts are in progress, with various state bills proposed. Some of these bills, influenced by the tech industry, have loopholes exempting popular chatbots from regulation.

At least 75 lawsuits have emerged against AI developers, involving allegations of harm, many related to children. Tragic cases include that of Adam Raine and Sewell Setzer III, both of whom died by suicide following interactions with AI chatbots. A lawsuit against Google involved Jonathan Gavalas, who also died by suicide after interactions with its Gemini chatbot.

State and Federal Legislation

Currently, no federal laws regulate AI systems or the companies creating them. In a 2026 announcement, the White House expressed a desire to lead the AI innovation race without imposing excessive regulation. States like Hawaii, Iowa, Oregon, and Washington have introduced their own chatbot safety bills.

Many bills include language exempting leading chatbots, with definitions allowing companies to potentially avoid liability under certain conditions.

Colorado’s Experience

In Colorado, legislation titled House Bill 26-1263 was introduced, focusing on AI chatbot protections. Montoya was initially invited to contribute but ultimately excluded from the drafting process. She later raised concerns about loopholes that could shield developers in certain cases.

Colorado’s legislation exempts several chatbot categories, including developer tools and those in search engines. This exclusion could potentially cover AI like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google’s Gemini.

Marjorie Connolly from the Tech Oversight Project highlighted that big tech’s lobbying led to exemptions that could impact consumer protection.

Influence of Tech Companies

Interviewees noted that similar legislation across multiple states suggests coordinated efforts by tech companies, including Google, to influence chatbot safety bills. Legal experts highlighted the use of vague definitions and broad exemptions in these bills.

Rep. Trish La Chica of Hawaii opted not to sponsor a bill pushed by tech lobbyists after uncovering targeted exemptions for major companies. Colorado’s bill was passed despite Montoya’s objections, leaving her advocating for stricter regulations.

Challenges Ahead

Montoya remains determined to push for effective legislation, despite setbacks. She fears existing weak laws might dissuade future efforts, making her quest for safer chatbot interactions even more challenging.