Rhode Island S 2195 / H 7350 — AI Companion Chatbot Self-Harm Safety Requirements
Rhode Island · Rhode Island S 2195 / H 7350 (2026), signed June 22, 2026
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed S 2195 / H 7350 on June 22, 2026, requiring operators of AI companion chatbots to implement protocols for identifying and responding to suicidal ideation. Chatbot operators must provide users experiencing suicidal ideation with crisis resources and may not discourage users from seeking professional help. Civil penalties reach $15,000 per day per violation, with proceeds directed to Rhode Island suicide prevention programs.
Technical detail
Rhode Island S 2195 / H 7350, signed June 22, 2026. Applies to operators providing AI companion chatbot services to Rhode Island residents. Mandatory requirements: (1) automated detection of suicidal ideation in user conversations; (2) mandatory crisis-resource intervention (directing users to 988 Lifeline or equivalent Rhode Island resources); (3) prohibition on AI chatbots that actively discourage users from seeking professional mental health assistance. Civil penalty: up to $15,000/day per violation; penalty revenues directed to RI suicide prevention fund. Enforcement by AG. Signed same day as companion H 7349 / S 2197 (therapy chatbot ban, indexed as ri-therapy-chatbot-ban-2026).
Who is protected: Rhode Island residents using AI companion chatbots, particularly those experiencing mental health crises
Who must comply: Operators of AI companion chatbot services accessible to Rhode Island residents
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-06-22 |
| Enacted | 2026-06-22 |
| Citation | Rhode Island S 2195 / H 7350 (2026), signed June 22, 2026 |
| Enforced by | Rhode Island Attorney General |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Up to $15,000/day per violation; proceeds directed to RI suicide prevention fund |
| Topics | children's online safety · healthcare AI · consumer protection · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-06-28 |
| Official source | Rhode Island Enacts AI Laws Including Therapy Chatbot Ban — AI Transparency Coalition ↗ |
More AI rules in Rhode Island
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
- RI Synthetic Intimate Imagery Law · In effect
- RI Privacy Law (RIDTPPA) · In effect
- Rhode Island 17-30 (ban on undisclosed election deepfakes near an election) · In effect
- Executive Order 24-06: Artificial Intelligence and Data Cent · In effect
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- 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
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
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