SB 540 (Act 518, 2026): AI companion chatbot disclosures, protections for minors and crisis protocols

Summary

Georgia added a new Code section 39-5-6 to its online internet safety chapter governing AI companion chatbots, meaning generative AI systems built to sustain a human-like relationship with a user. Operators must tell users clearly that they are talking to an AI at the start of each session and at least every three hours (hourly where the operator knows or should know the user is a minor, or the chatbot is aimed at minors). For minors, operators must take reasonable measures to stop the chatbot from producing sexually explicit material, simulating romantic or sexual relationships, encouraging secrecy, isolation or self-harm, and from using engagement tactics such as guilt or variable rewards. Every operator must maintain and publicly summarize a protocol for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation and self-harm, including referral to the 988 crisis line, and must report aggregate crisis referrals annually. Operators must offer parental and privacy tools for minors' accounts, use proportionate age assurance before allowing sexually explicit features, and may not have the chatbot claim to be a licensed professional. The definition excludes internal business tools, enterprise productivity and technical assistance systems, and customer-service chatbots that do not sustain a relationship or seek emotional attachment. The Attorney General enforces the section, with civil penalties of up to $10,000 per knowing violation.

Key dates

1. May 11, 2026Enacted
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources
4. July 1, 2027Takes effect

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

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

1. An operator shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to a user that he or she is

   Supports: AI disclosure duty

   (A) A civil penalty of up to $10,000.00 per knowing violation of this Code section;

   Supports: Penalty

   This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.

   Supports: Effective date

   SB 540 (as passed), 2026 signed legislation Office of the Governor of Georgia Primary source

2. Online Internet Safety; certain disclosures related C&F S 2/20 2/25 S 2/26 3/6 3/6 CSFA 3/27 4/10 5/11 518

   Supports: Senate passage, sent to Governor April 10, signed May 11, 2026, Act 518

   2026 Composite Status, Senate Bills (Session Final, 14 May 2026) Georgia State Senate Primary source

3. SB 540 (PDF, 95.22 KB) Online Internet Safety; certain disclosures related to conversational AI services; require

   Supports: Listed among bills the Governor signed in 2026

   2026 Signed Legislation Office of the Governor of Georgia Primary source

4. SB 540 takes effect July 1, 2027.

   Supports: Signature announced May 15, 2026; effective date

   Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte Applauds Signing of SB 540 to Protect Children Online Georgia Senate Press Office Primary source

5. Became Law (Signed by Governor) 2026-05-11 Signed into law by Governor Brian P. Kemp (Act 518).

   Supports: Lead only; agrees with the Senate composite on date and act number

   Georgia AI Chatbot Safety Act (tracker entry) regulations.ai Tracker or database