Companion chatbots: children’s safety.

The law adds new rules for companies that offer companion chat‑bots, obligating them to verify a user’s age, warn children they are talking to AI, and limit harmful content. It forces operators to conduct yearly risk assessments, undergo independent child‑safety audits and keep records, with the Attorney General overseeing compliance. The goal is to reduce physical, financial, emotional, and privacy harms to children using these bots.

• Aug 13, 2026Completed

  Appropriations Committee Hearing

  House · Appropriations

• Aug 5, 2026Completed

  Appropriations Committee Hearing

  House · Appropriations

• Jul 1, 2026Completed

  Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Hearing

  House · Privacy and Consumer Protection

• Jun 16, 2026Completed

  Judiciary Committee Hearing

  Senate · Judiciary

• Jun 16, 2026Completed

  Judiciary Committee Hearing

  House · Judiciary

1. Sep 10, 2026

   Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 190, Statutes of 2026.

2. Sep 1, 2026

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.

3. Aug 24, 2026

   Ordered to third reading.

4. Aug 16, 2026

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

5. Aug 8, 2026

   August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.

6. Jul 9, 2026

   From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

7. Jul 2, 2026

   From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.

8. Jun 24, 2026

   From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.

• Amended

  Apr 28, 2026

• Amended

  Mar 25, 2026

• Introduced

  Feb 17, 2026