The Senior Chatbot Protection Act of 2026 aims to establish comprehensive consumer transparency and protection requirements for artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, with a particular focus on safeguarding older adults. It defines an "artificial intelligence chatbot" as an interactive service generating adaptive, context-responsive outputs from natural-language input, excluding those with only predetermined replies. The legislation also defines "affirmative consent" as a clear, specific, and informed authorization, and identifies "high-stakes decisions" related to health, safety, or financial security, and "crisis" situations involving self-harm or medical emergencies. Key provisions mandate that AI chatbots provide baseline disclosures , clearly stating they are AI, not human, and not licensed professionals. For high-stakes decisions , chatbots must detect such discussions and issue disclaimers that their advice is not professional and requires verification. In cases of user crisis , chatbots must identify indicators and refer users to emergency services or crisis providers like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, while refraining from offering harmful advice. The bill includes robust data protection measures, generally prohibiting the collection, processing, or retention of user conversations without affirmative consent, except for specific operational or compliance purposes. Users must also have a clear ability to delete their conversation history. Furthermore, the Act prohibits deceptive or manipulative interaction design practices that encourage excessive reliance, exploit cognitive limitations, discourage real-world support, or use emotional coercion. Covered entities must develop and publish protocols for compliance, ensure disclosures are accessible, and obtain affirmative consent before using user information for training AI models. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these provisions, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts, with potential civil penalties up to $50,000 per knowing or reckless violation. States are also empowered to bring civil actions. Additionally, the bill requires covered entities to submit annual reports to the National Institutes of Health and the FTC on material adverse incidents involving high-stakes decisions or crises, disaggregated by user age where known. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is directed to develop voluntary guidelines for AI chatbots interacting with older adults, covering transparency, accessibility, crisis response, and security, which covered entities should consider in their designs.