US S. 5417 AI Emergency Button Act (human shutdown mechanisms)
United States — S. 5417, AI Emergency Button Act (119th Congress, introduced Sept. 16, 2026)
United States · S. 5417, 119th Cong. (2026)
- Status
- Proposed / pending
- Applies to
- Entities that develop or deploy AI systems
A Senate bill that would require anyone who develops or operates an advanced artificial intelligence system in the United States to build in a way for a human operator to shut it down, with Homeland Security writing the rules. It was introduced on Sept. 16, 2026 and sent to the Commerce Committee. It has not passed either chamber.
Who is protected: The public
Legal detail
S. 5417 (119th Congress). Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA). Introduced Sept. 16, 2026; referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill-detail page on GovInfo gives only the long title/purpose; text-level provisions not reviewed. NOT ESTABLISHED: any action after referral.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Citation | S. 5417, 119th Cong. (2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | consumer protection · automated decision-making |
| Bill text | S. 5417 — AI Emergency Button Act (GovInfo bill details, introduced version) |
More AI rules in United States
- Trump AI Innovation & Security EO (June 2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- NAIC AI Evaluation Tool Pilot (12 states, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- FTC Proposed Policy Statement — AI Accuracy (July 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.