California Companion AI Chatbot Safety Act (SB 243)
California Companion AI Chatbot Safety Act (SB 243) in California: active, effective January 1, 2026. Applies to Operators of companion AI chatbot services accessible to minors. Age range: Under 18. Disclose to minor users they are interacting with artificial intelligence
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Category | AI Chatbot Safety |
| Status | active |
| Effective date | January 1, 2026 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | Operators of companion AI chatbot services accessible to minors |
Key requirements
- Disclose to minor users they are interacting with artificial intelligence
- AI-reminder notifications at least every three hours during continuing interactions
- Prompt users to take breaks from the chatbot
- Prevent chatbots from producing sexually explicit content with or for minors
- Maintain crisis protocol for self-harm/suicidal ideation — must refer at-risk users to crisis services
- Annual reports to California Dept of Public Health's Office of Suicide Prevention (starting July 1, 2027)
Notes
First-in-nation AI chatbot safety law. Private right of action: $1,000 per violation. Legislature passed SB 1119 ('Adam's Law', August 31, 2026) adding independent child-safety audits and further minor protections, and SB 867 banning companion-chatbot toys; both await Governor Newsom (deadline September 30, 2026).
Frequently asked
What does California Companion AI Chatbot Safety Act (SB 243) require?
Disclose to minor users they are interacting with artificial intelligence AI-reminder notifications at least every three hours during continuing interactions Prompt users to take breaks from the chatbot Prevent chatbots from producing sexually explicit content with or for minors Maintain crisis protocol for self-harm/suicidal ideation — must refer at-risk users to crisis services Annual reports to California Dept of Public Health's Office of Suicide Prevention (starting July 1, 2027)
Who must comply with California Companion AI Chatbot Safety Act (SB 243) in California?
Operators of companion AI chatbot services accessible to minors
When does California Companion AI Chatbot Safety Act (SB 243) take effect and what is its status?
Effective January 1, 2026. Current status: active. First-in-nation AI chatbot safety law. Private right of action: $1,000 per violation. Legislature passed SB 1119 ('Adam's Law', August 31, 2026) adding independent child-safety audits and further minor protections, and SB 867 banning companion-chatbot toys; both await Governor Newsom (deadline September 30, 2026).
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) | California | Consumer Privacy | active | September 2025 |
| California Mental Health Warnings (AB 56) | California | Consumer Privacy | pending | January 1, 2027 |
| Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) | California | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273) | California | Age-Appropriate Design Code | challenged | Partially active (April 2026) |
| California Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) | California | App Store Accountability | pending | January 1, 2027 |
| California Adam's Law — Companion Chatbot Minor Protections (SB 1119) | California | AI Chatbot Safety | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Colorado AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act (HB 26-1263) | Colorado | AI Chatbot Safety | pending | January 1, 2027 |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: NIST AI RMF policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: NIST AI RMF Implementation Policy (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: Pillar 06 Companion — The 2026 AI Risk Register (ciso.diy)