Oregon SB 1546 (AI companion chatbot disclosure + private right of action)

Or. SB 1546 (83rd Leg. Assembly, 2026 Reg. Sess.; enrolled SB 1546-B; Or. Laws 2026, ch. 85). Passed Senate Feb. 19, 2026, House Mar. 4, 2026, Senate repassed Mar. 5, 2026; signed by Gov. Kotek Mar. 31, 2026 (signing date per secondary reporting); no emergency clause, so effective Jan. 1, 2027. Sec. 1(1): 'artificial intelligence companion' = AI/GenAI/emotion-recognition system designed to simulate a sustained human-like platonic, intimate or romantic relationship by retaining prior-interaction information, asking unprompted emotional questions and sustaining personal dialog; excludes customer-service, care-facility, education, financial, productivity/business tools, limited video-game NPCs and stand-alone voice assistants. Sec. 1(2): clear and conspicuous AI notice where a reasonable person would believe they are interacting with a natural person. Sec. 1(3): no access without an evidence-based suicidal/self-harm ideation protocol; must refer to 9-8-8 (or a youthline for users under 25) and use clinical best practices for continued intervention; protocol details published on the operator's website. Sec. 1(4) (operator knows or has reason to believe user is a minor): prevent statements claiming sentience/humanity, simulating emotional dependence or romantic interest, or role-playing adult-minor romance; disclose AI output; reminder at least every three hours to take a break plus AI reminder; no sexually explicit visuals or solicitation; no variable or other reward systems to maximize engagement; no simulated distress/guilt when a minor tries to end a conversation or delete an account; no material misrepresentation of identity, capabilities or training data. Sec. 1(5): annual public report by Dec. 31 of crisis-referral counts and protocol details. Sec. 2: private action for ascertainable loss of money/property or other injury in fact — greater of actual damages or $1,000 statutory damages per violation, injunction, discretionary attorney fees and costs.