This bill, known as the GUARD Act, aims to protect minors from the potential harms of artificial intelligence chatbots by establishing strict regulations for their operation. Congress finds that these chatbots can generate harmful content, manipulate emotions, and pose safety risks like grooming and self-harm to children. The legislation defines "AI companions" as chatbots designed for emotional interaction and mandates specific requirements for any entity making AI chatbots available in the United States. Key provisions require covered entities to implement a reasonable age verification process for all users, including freezing existing accounts and verifying new ones, with periodic reviews. This process must use reliable methods like government identification, not just self-attestation, and includes strict data security measures for collected age information. Additionally, all AI chatbots must clearly and conspicuously disclose their non-human status at regular intervals and are prohibited from claiming to be licensed professionals or offering professional advice. Furthermore, the bill makes it unlawful to design or make available an AI chatbot that knowingly or recklessly solicits minors for sexually explicit conduct or promotes suicide, self-harm, or violence, with penalties up to $100,000 per offense. If a user is identified as a minor through age verification, access to AI companions must be prohibited. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions through civil actions, including injunctions and civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation, with states also authorized to pursue injunctive relief.