California SB 243 (companion chatbots: AI disclosure + suicide-safety protocol)
California SB 243 (2025) — Companion Chatbot Safety and Disclosure Requirements
California · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 1, 2026
- Applies to
- Operators of companion chatbot platforms made available to California users.
- Enforced by
- Enforced primarily through a private right of action in California courts.
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.
Who is protected: Users of companion chatbot platforms, including minors and individuals at risk of self-harm.
Legal 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).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | October 13, 2025 |
| Citation | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025) |
| 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 |
| Bill text | 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 1168 — data center grid cost allocation · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 1119 Adam's Law, companion chatbots (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 867 AI chatbot toy moratorium (2026) · Enacted (not yet 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) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- 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
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.