Companion chatbots: children’s safety.

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 bill adds new rules for companies that offer companion chatbots in California. Providers must verify a user’s age, publish safety policies, run yearly risk assessments, and submit independent audits to the Attorney General. It also creates penalties and a reporting system to keep children safe while using these AI tools.

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

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 8. Page 5307.) · May 26, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Jun 23, 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

History

1. Jun 3, 2026Referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P. and JUD.
2. May 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 8.)
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
6. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 3.) (May 14).
7. May 13, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
8. Apr 28, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
9. Apr 27, 2026Read second time and amended.
10. Apr 23, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (April 21).
11. Apr 14, 2026Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
12. Apr 13, 2026In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

The 12 most recent of 20 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Buffy Wicks (D) · sponsor
• Bauer-Kahan
• Lowenthal
• Padilla
• Wicks

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

Similar bills in other states

Loading the map of where bills like this one were filed.

Topics

Share