California SB 243 (2025) — Companion Chatbot Safety and Disclosure Requirements
California · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025)
This law sets safety rules for companion chatbots — AI systems designed to hold human-like, ongoing conversations that meet a user's social needs. Operators must tell users they are interacting with AI whenever a reasonable person might be fooled into thinking it is human, and must maintain a protocol for detecting and responding to signs of suicidal thoughts or self-harm, including pointing users to crisis resources. It adds extra protections for minors, such as disclosure, periodic break reminders, and measures to prevent sexually explicit content. Users harmed by violations can sue.
Technical detail
SB 243 adds Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22601 et seq., requiring operators of companion chatbot platforms to disclose AI status where a reasonable person could be misled, maintain protocols to detect and respond to suicidal ideation/self-harm with crisis referrals, and implement minor-specific safeguards (disclosure, periodic break reminders, measures against sexually explicit content).
Who is protected: Users of companion chatbot platforms, including minors and individuals at risk of self-harm.
Who must comply: Operators of companion chatbot platforms made available to California users.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2026-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2025-10-13 |
| Citation | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025) |
| Enforced by | Enforced primarily through a private right of action in California courts. |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | A person injured by a violation may recover the greater of actual damages or $1,000 per violation, plus injunctive relief and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. |
| Topics | children's online safety · healthcare AI · consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | SB-243 Companion chatbots ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · In effect
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · In effect
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Washington HB 2225 (AI chatbot disclosure, minor protections, crisis protocols) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Oregon SB 1546 (AI companion chatbot disclosure + private right of action) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
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