California Companion Chatbot Law (SB 243)
California · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025) · effective 2026-01-01 · SB 1119 (Adam's Law, Chapter 190, signed Sept 10, 2026) rewrites § 22602. From Jan 1, 2027, the extra duties for known minors in § 22602 (the three-hour reminder and break prompts) are removed from this section. From July 1, 2027, new §§ 21810 to 21818 apply to operators that allow users under 18: an AI notice for children that is repeated during long chats, a one-hour session limit and two-hour daily limit by default, parental controls, crisis steps and risk assessments.
Summary
Operators of 'companion chatbots' — AI with a natural-language interface that gives adaptive, human-like responses and can meet a user's social needs or sustain a relationship across interactions — must clearly disclose that the chatbot is AI whenever a reasonable person could be misled, maintain suicide/self-harm protocols, and apply extra rules for minors. Annual reporting to the Office of Suicide Prevention begins July 1, 2027.
Who must comply
Anyone who makes a companion chatbot available to users in California. Bots that remember users, personalize, check in, or build rapport can qualify even if they started as e-commerce assistants.
What you must disclose
Clear and conspicuous notice that the chatbot is artificially generated and not human; a notice that the chatbot may not be suitable for some minors on the app or site.
When: Whenever a reasonable person could be misled; for known minors, at least every three hours during continuing use, plus break reminders.
Other duties
- Publish and maintain a protocol for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm, with referral to crisis services.
- For known minors: prevent sexually explicit content and remind them to take breaks.
- From July 1, 2027, file annual reports with the California Office of Suicide Prevention.
- From July 1, 2027, if users under 18 are allowed: follow Adam's Law (SB 1119), including a repeated AI notice written for children, default time limits, parental controls and published child-safety policies.
Exemptions
- Bots used only for customer service, business operations, productivity, internal research, or technical assistance.
- Video-game bots that only discuss the game.
- Stand-alone consumer electronic voice assistants that do not sustain relationships.
Penalties
Private right of action: the greater of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, plus injunctive relief and attorney's fees.
Enforced by: Private lawsuits; California Attorney General.
Triggered by
Sources
- SB 243 bill text (California Legislative Information)
- Future of Privacy Forum — Understanding the new wave of chatbot legislation
- Troutman — Analyzing the new AI companion chatbot laws (Jan 2026)
- SB 1119 (Adam's Law), Chapter 190, 2026 (California Legislative Information)
Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Not legal advice.