WASHINGTON (WOWO): U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would establish criminal and civil penalties for creating or operating artificial intelligence chatbots designed to simulate children and engage in sexually explicit conversations.

According to Husted’s office, the Stopping Illegal Minor Simulations, or SIMS, Act was introduced alongside Sens. Chris Coons, Bill Cassidy and Chris Murphy.

The legislation would make it illegal to own or operate a chatbot intentionally designed to emulate a child while engaging in sexually explicit conduct or conversations.

Supporters of the bill argue that some bad actors are using AI technology to create virtual child personas for sexually explicit interactions and say federal law should prohibit such activity.

“Inventions can be used both for good and bad, and we need to ensure we are protecting our kids from dangerous misuse of AI by people who would do them harm,” Husted said in a statement. “Children will not be safe as long as these tools exist.”

According to the bill’s sponsors, the measure would create both criminal and civil penalties for individuals who design, operate or profit from chatbots intended to simulate minors in sexual scenarios.

Lawmakers backing the proposal say the legislation is aimed at preventing the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies while establishing safeguards to protect children.

The SIMS Act builds on several recent efforts by Husted related to online child safety, including proposals addressing social media risks, fentanyl sales on social media platforms and AI chatbot protections for minors.

The legislation has been introduced in Congress and will be considered by lawmakers in the coming months.