SB 243 — Companion chatbots (Chapter 677, Statutes of 2025)

Summary

Regulates operators of companion chatbot platforms. Where a reasonable person could be misled into thinking they are talking to a human, the operator must clearly disclose that the chatbot is AI. For users known to be minors, operators must disclose AI use and take further protective steps. Operators may not let a companion chatbot engage users unless they maintain and publish a protocol to prevent suicidal-ideation, suicide or self-harm content. From July 1, 2027, operators report annually to the Office of Suicide Prevention. A person injured by non-compliance may sue (private right of action).

Key dates

1. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
2. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. (2025-10-13: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 677, Statutes of 2025.)

   Supports: Chapter number and date

   This bill would, beginning July 1, 2027, require an operator to annually report to the Office of Suicide Prevention certain things

   Supports: Reporting duty from July 1, 2027

   SB 243: Companion chatbots (Digital Democracy) CalMatters Digital Democracy Reporting or analysis

2. October 13, 2025 SACRAMENTO – Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 243 , authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego).

   Supports: Signing date

   Finally, SB 243 would provide a remedy to exercise the rights laid out in the measure via a private right of action.

   Supports: Enforcement by private right of action

   First-in-the-Nation AI Chatbot Safeguards Signed into Law Office of Senator Steve Padilla, California State Senate Primary source

3. SB 243 will go into effect January 1, 2026

   Supports: Effective date

   California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots TechCrunch Reporting or analysis