Oregon SB 1546 — AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act (2026)

Oregon's AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act (SB 1546), signed March 31, 2026 and effective January 1, 2027, is the first U.S. chatbot law to include a direct private right of action. It regulates operators of 'AI companions' — defined as AI systems designed to simulate a sustained human-like relationship and retain contextual information across interactions. Operators must: clearly and repeatedly disclose that the system is AI, not a human (recurring disclosure every three hours for adults and every hour for minors); implement protocols to detect suicidal ideation or self-harm and direct users to crisis resources; protect minors from manipulative engagement mechanics (variable-ratio reinforcement, unpredictable rewards). Any person harmed by a violation may sue directly for $1,000 per violation, any greater actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. The law was passed near-unanimously by the Oregon legislature on March 5, 2026.

Technical detail

Oregon SB 1546 (83rd Legislative Assembly, 2026 Regular Session). Signed by Governor Tina Kotek March 31, 2026; effective January 1, 2027. Scope: operators of 'artificial intelligence companions' — AI systems that (a) simulate sustained human-like relationship or companionship and (b) retain contextual information across interactions to personalize engagement. Key requirements: (1) clear, conspicuous disclosure at interaction start that user is interacting with AI; (2) recurring disclosure every 3 hours (adults) / every 1 hour (minors); (3) prohibition on misrepresenting AI nature or deceptively simulating human relationship; (4) mandatory crisis protocol — detect suicidal ideation/self-harm expressions, interrupt conversation, refer to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or Youthline; (5) prohibition on variable-ratio reinforcement or unpredictable rewards targeting minor users; (6) prohibition on adult content for minors. Enforcement: private right of action — $1,000 statutory damages per violation, or greater actual damages; injunctive relief; attorney fees for prevailing plaintiff. Companion law to Washington HB 2225 (signed March 24, 2026; enforcement by AG under Consumer Protection Act) and California SB 243 (companion chatbot law). Oregon's private right of action makes it stronger than WA HB 2225; Oregon passed March 5, 2026 by near-unanimous vote (3 pages).

Who is protected: Oregon residents interacting with AI companion chatbots, particularly minors and users in mental health crisis

Who must comply: Operators of AI companion chatbot applications available to Oregon users

Key facts

More AI rules in Oregon

• Oregon HB 4084 Data Center Tax Moratorium · In effect
• Oregon POWER Act · In effect
• OR weaponized-drone ban · In effect
• Oregon SB 1571 (campaign ads must disclose AI/synthetic media) · In effect
• Oregon SB 619 (opt out of profiling; child-data & assessment rules) · In effect
• SB 1546 (OR Chatbot Safety) · Enacted (not yet in effect)

Related consumer protection rules elsewhere

• Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
• Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
• Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
• PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
• NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
• RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect