Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The PAUSE Act makes operators of companion chatbots detect credible crisis expressions, warn users, and trigger a 20‑minute conversation pause if the user repeats or escalates the crisis. Operators must publish a response policy, keep records, and report annually to the State Office of Suicide Prevention starting in 2028.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5214.) · May 21, 2026

Hearings

• Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
  Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee · Jun 29, 2026
• Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Hearing
  Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection · Jun 22, 2026
• Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Hearing
  Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection · Jun 15, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 6, 2026

History

1. Jun 3, 2026Referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P. and HEALTH.
2. May 21, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5214.)
3. May 21, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
6. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7. Apr 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. Apr 16, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
9. Apr 15, 2026Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
10. Apr 14, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.
11. Apr 13, 2026Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 4580.)
12. Apr 13, 2026(Pending re-refer to Com. on HEALTH)

The 12 most recent of 15 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Gail Pellerin (D) · sponsor
• Pellerin

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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