ADVOCACY
We serve as a bridge between our grassroots movement, legislators, and nonprofit think tanks to shape youth-centered policy.
Our Advocacy Work
We directly bring young people into the policy conversations through our advocacy at the state and federal levels. Students educate legislators on the pressing challenges facing our generation and how they can be solved through policy. Our work has led to the introduction of several bills in state legislatures, successful changes to major bills like the Kids Online Safety Act, and helped to stop multiple efforts to block AI regulation by tech billionaires.
Leading on Responsible Tech
YPA works at the forefront of the fight to save our generation's agency from manipulative technology like social media and AI companions.
This year we launched and lead the Human-like AI Coalition, coordinating a bipartisan group of leading organizations to support youth-centered AI companion regulations legislation, grounded in our members' perspectives and experiences.
Members of YPA have also testified before Congress, published op-eds in local and national outlets, and worked directly with legislators to craft bills that protect young people without hindering innovation or young people's autonomy.
Policy Tracker
Track legislation on our priority issues. Filter by platform area and state to see bills addressing affordability, opportunity, and community issues across the country.
Legend
All States
21 bills
CA SB243
Companion Chatbots
Requires operators to disclose when users interact with AI rather than humans. Mandates protocols for preventing suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm content, including crisis service referrals.
Sponsor: Senator Josh Becker, Senator Steve Padilla
Passed October 13, 2025
CA AB1064
LEAD for Kids Act
Would have prohibited making companion chatbots available to children if capable of encouraging self-harm, suicidal ideation, violence, drug/alcohol consumption, or disordered eating.
Sponsor: Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Vetoed - Dead
WA HB2225
AI Companion Transparency
Requires AI companions to disclose their non-humanity, implement self-harm response protocols, and prevent manipulative or sexual behaviors with known minors.
Note: This bill does not prohibit deployment of AI companions for minors, but includes some protections against manipulative engagement techniques for minors.
Sponsor: Representative Lisa Callan
Passed House & Senate, awaiting Governor's signature
FL S0482
Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights
Establishes an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights to protect Floridians from harmful AI practices, including requiring parental consent for minors to use AI companions.
Sponsor: Senator Tom Leek
Passed Senate, now in House
MI SB0760
Companion Chatbot Regulation
Regulates companion chatbot operators and their offerings to minors. Establishes powers and duties for state and local governmental entities, and prescribes civil sanctions with remedies.
Note: Does not directly regulate manipulative design features.
Sponsor: Senator Dayna Polehanki
Never got scheduled by committee
MO HB2031
Children Harmed by AI Technology Act
Requires covered entities to mandate user account creation before accessing companion AI chatbots.
Sponsor: Representative Melissa Schmidt
Never got scheduled by committee
MO HB2032
AI Chatbot Age Verification
Establishes age verification requirements for artificial intelligence chatbots.
Never got scheduled by committee
MO HB1742
Companion Chatbot Provisions
Prohibits minors from accessing companion chatbots for recreational or relational purposes. Requires age verification before access. Bans companion chatbot installation on devices used by minors.
Sponsor: Representative Scott Miller
Never got scheduled by committee
KY HB227
Addictive Online Platforms
Protects minors from online platforms using addictive features and predatory data collection. Requires age verification, prohibits minor accounts without parental consent.
Note: AI companion language was amended out of the bill.
Sponsor: Representative Matt Lockett
AI companion provisions removed via amendment
ME LD2162
Children's AI Access Regulation
Requires deployers to ensure chatbots with human-like features are not available to minors, implement age verification, and prohibits social AI companions for minors.
Note: Based on the Human-like AI Framework.
Sponsor: Representative Lori Gramlich
In joint committee work session
VA HB635
Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Act
Prohibits operators from making companion chatbots available unless incapable of certain harmful actions. Requires disclosure that chatbot is not human and protocols for detecting suicidal ideation or self-harm.
Sponsor: Delegate Michelle Maldonado
Pushed to next legislative session
VA HB758
AI Chatbots and Minors Act
Requires deployers to ensure chatbots with human-like features are not available to minors, implement age verification, and prohibits social AI companions for minors.
Note: Based on the Human-like AI Framework.
Sponsor: Delegate Chris Runion
Pushed to next legislative session
NE LB939
Saving Human Connection Act
Creates protections for minors interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots with humanlike features.
Note: Based on the Human-like AI Framework. Working with leadership on potential amendments for floor vote.
Sponsor: Senator Dave Murman
Passed committee, pending floor vote
HI HB1782
AI Protection of Minors
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational AI services.
Note: Based on the Human-like AI Framework.
Sponsor: Representative La Chica
Passed House, now in Senate committees
AL HB324
Saving Human Connection Act
Creates protections for minors interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots with humanlike features.
Note: Based on the Human-like AI Framework.
Sponsor: Representative Parker Moore
Never got a committee hearing
MN SF1857
Minor Chatbot Access Prohibition
Prohibits minor access to chatbots for recreational purposes and requires disclosure when communicating with artificial intelligence.
Sponsor: Senator Erin Maye Quade
Never got scheduled by committee
OK SB2085
AI Protections Act
Establishes several AI protections, including requiring parental consent for minors to use AI companions.
Sponsor: Senator Warren Hamilton
Never got scheduled by committee
WI AB965
Companion Chatbot Regulation
Regulates companion chatbot operators and their offerings to minors. Creates a civil penalty for violations and a private right of action.
Note: Does not directly regulate manipulative design features.
Never got scheduled by committee
OR SB1546
AI Companion Protections
Establishes requirements for AI companion operators including disclosure requirements, self-harm response protocols, and protections for minors.
Passed House & Senate, awaiting Governor's signature
NY S5668
AI Companion Chatbot Regulation
Establishes requirements for AI companion chatbot operators to protect users, particularly minors, from harmful interactions.
Sponsor: Senator Gonzalez
In committee review
NY S00934
AI Chatbot Protections
Establishes protections for users of AI chatbots including disclosure requirements and safeguards for minors.
Sponsor: Senator Gonzalez
Passed Senate, now in Assembly
Lobby Days
We bring young people directly to their legislators to advocate for the issues that matter most. From responsible technology to affordable housing and workforce development. Our lobby days train students in effective advocacy and give them hands-on experience making their voices heard on our American Dream Platform.
800+ meetings with legislators and staff
YPA members posed with legislator in NC State Senate chamber
NC Social Media Advocacy Campaign
After seeing firsthand how manipulative social media algorithms were affecting our generation, we wrote the first legislation on social media manipulative design features in North Carolina, H644. Through months of visits to the legislature culminating in our Spring 2023 lobby day, we got 12 NC organizations to endorse and 62 state representatives to cosponsor the bill. H644 passed the Judiciary 3 Committee unanimously, but was never given a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee.
YPA members wearing 'I'm worth more than $270' shirts at Senate hearing with Mark Zuckerberg
Senate Judiciary Hearing on Big Tech
Our Advocacy Director and YPA members participated in a civic demonstration with partner organizations at the Senate Judiciary hearing on Big Tech and child safety. Standing behind Mark Zuckerberg, our members wore shirts reading 'I'm worth more than $270'—the amount Meta was fined per child affected by their platform's harms—sending a powerful message about holding tech companies accountable for their impact on young people's mental health.
YPA members meeting with legislator at round table discussion
Youth Opportunity Lobby Day
YPA members met with legislators to push for comprehensive solutions to our lack of economic mobility opportunities the affordability crisis, and the erosion of our communities. We advocated for a set of 10 bills including SB 199 to limit institutional investors from buying up housing stock, SB 259 to expand mental health resources in schools, and SB 147 to make it easier for young teachers to work in NC. These policies address the interconnected challenges young people face in housing, mental health, and employment.
YPA members discussing AI policy with legislative materials
AI Moratorium Lobby Day
We rapidly mobilized after Big Tech attempted to push a ban on state and federal AI regulation through Congress, and reached over 100 offices while mobilizing hundreds of nonprofits and state legislators to build pressure. Together with a coalition of nonprofits, we were able to defeat the AI moratorium from being codified as legislation.
Students in Action
Young people testifying in front of legislatures
YPA State Director Testifies on Michigan's Kids Over Clicks Package
YPA Michigan State Director James Jandro testifies on behalf of Michigan's Kids Over Clicks legislative package, proposing stronger protections to ensure kids' online safety.
YPA Member Speaks at Michigan "Kids Over Clicks" Press Conference
YPA member Stephanie Iacoban speaks at a press conference in Michigan in support of the "Kids Over Clicks" package, advocating for youth online safety protections.
Mick Tobin Testifies in Nebraska on AI Safety Bill
YPA Advocacy Director Mick Tobin testifies in Nebraska in favor of LB939, which creates protections for minors interacting with AI chatbots with humanlike features.
Mick Tobin Testifies in Hawaii on AI Safety Bill
YPA Advocacy Director Mick Tobin testifies in Hawaii in favor of HB1782, establishing safeguards and protections for interactions between minors and AI companion systems.
YPA Member Testifying on HB758 in Virginia
Atiksh Bhan, 16, testifies on behalf of HB758 in Virginia, urging legislators to pass protections against AI companions that breed emotional dependency in minors.
YPA Member Testifying on HB 796 in Virginia
Aniska Manojkumar, 18, testifies on behalf of HB 796 in Virginia, calling for protections against AI companions designed to replace real human connection.
YPA Member Testifying on HB653
Atiksh Bhan testifies on behalf of AI companion bill HB 653, asking legislators to restrict chatbots from encouraging emotional attachment in young people.
Ava Smithing: Teenage Girls on Instagram
Ava Smithing testifies before the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee about the devastating impact of Instagram's algorithms on teenage girls' mental health.
Student Voices
Op-eds written by YPA members shaping the conversation
How AI companions are putting young people at risk and what can be done about it
By Joshua Brons
The hidden hunger crisis on UNC campus
By Sarah Maness
Chatbots are harming our children. What can be done?
By Atiksh Bhan
California fails to protect families from AI exploitation
By Sparkle Rainey
How housing policy is failing NC's young people
By Mick Tobin & Iha Pemmaraju
AI protections for minors will help us beat China
By Sam Hiner