SB-243
Health & Public Health

Companion chatbots.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes safety regulations for AI companion chatbots that provide emotional support to users.
  • Requires operators to implement suicide prevention protocols and refer users to crisis services.
  • Mandates notifications every three hours reminding users they are interacting with artificial intelligence.
  • Authorizes civil lawsuits with damages up to $1,000 per violation for non-compliant chatbot operators.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/30/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senators Padilla and Becker have proposed new regulations for AI companion chatbots in California, establishing requirements for platforms that provide human-like conversational interactions designed to meet users' social needs. The legislation defines companion chatbots as AI systems with natural language interfaces capable of sustaining relationships across multiple interactions, while explicitly excluding customer service bots.

The bill requires operators to implement specific safety protocols before allowing chatbots to engage with users. These include preventing unpredictable reward mechanisms, issuing regular notifications about the artificial nature of the interaction, and maintaining protocols for addressing expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm. Operators must publish their crisis response protocols online and provide users with referrals to crisis services when needed.

Platform operators face new reporting and oversight obligations under the proposal. They must submit annual reports to the State Department of Health Care Services documenting instances where users expressed suicidal thoughts and cases where chatbots initiated discussions about suicide. The legislation mandates regular third-party compliance audits and requires operators to disclose that companion chatbots may not be suitable for some minors. Users who experience harm from violations can pursue civil actions for injunctive relief and damages of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Josh Becker
Josh BeckerD
California State Senator
Steve Padilla
Steve PadillaD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Akilah Weber Pierson
Akilah Weber PiersonD
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Health
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Health
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes safety regulations for AI companion chatbots that provide emotional support to users.
  • Requires operators to implement suicide prevention protocols and refer users to crisis services.
  • Mandates notifications every three hours reminding users they are interacting with artificial intelligence.
  • Authorizes civil lawsuits with damages up to $1,000 per violation for non-compliant chatbot operators.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Josh Becker
Josh BeckerD
California State Senator
Steve Padilla
Steve PadillaD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Akilah Weber Pierson
Akilah Weber PiersonD
California State Senator

Summary

Senators Padilla and Becker have proposed new regulations for AI companion chatbots in California, establishing requirements for platforms that provide human-like conversational interactions designed to meet users' social needs. The legislation defines companion chatbots as AI systems with natural language interfaces capable of sustaining relationships across multiple interactions, while explicitly excluding customer service bots.

The bill requires operators to implement specific safety protocols before allowing chatbots to engage with users. These include preventing unpredictable reward mechanisms, issuing regular notifications about the artificial nature of the interaction, and maintaining protocols for addressing expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm. Operators must publish their crisis response protocols online and provide users with referrals to crisis services when needed.

Platform operators face new reporting and oversight obligations under the proposal. They must submit annual reports to the State Department of Health Care Services documenting instances where users expressed suicidal thoughts and cases where chatbots initiated discussions about suicide. The legislation mandates regular third-party compliance audits and requires operators to disclose that companion chatbots may not be suitable for some minors. Users who experience harm from violations can pursue civil actions for injunctive relief and damages of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, whichever is greater.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/30/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Health
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Health
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member