RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026)

Rhode Island S 2195 / H 7350 — AI Companion Chatbot Self-Harm Safety Requirements
Rhode Island · R.I. Pub. Laws 2026, ch. 376 (S 2195 Sub A as amended) and ch. 375 (H 7350 Sub A as amended), R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-64 — enacted June 22, 2026; effective January 1, 2027

Status
Enacted (not yet in effect)
Takes effect
January 1, 2027
Applies to
Operators of AI companion chatbot services accessible to Rhode Island residents
Enforced by
Rhode Island Attorney General

Rhode Island enacted S 2195 / H 7350 on June 22, 2026, and the law takes effect January 1, 2027. Companies that offer AI companion chatbots must build in protocols for users who express possible suicidal thoughts, self-harm or intent to physically harm others, and must then point the user to crisis services such as a suicide hotline or crisis text line. The chatbot must tell users at the start of a conversation, and at least every three hours during it, that they are not talking to a human. Starting July 1, 2027, operators must file yearly reports with the Attorney General on how often the safety protocols were triggered. The Attorney General enforces the law, with civil penalties up to $15,000 per day, directed to suicide prevention programs.

Who is protected: Rhode Island residents using AI companion chatbots, particularly those experiencing mental health crises

Legal detail

R.I. Pub. Laws 2026, chs. 375 (H 7350 Sub A am.) and 376 (S 2195 Sub A am.), enacted June 22, 2026, effective January 1, 2027; adds R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-64 'Artificial Intelligence Companion Models'. Applies to operators providing an AI companion to users in the state. Requirements: (1) unlawful to operate or provide an AI companion unless it contains a protocol addressing possible suicidal ideation or self-harm, and possible physical harm to others, expressed by a user; (2) upon detection, a notification referring the user to crisis service providers (suicide hotline, crisis text line or other crisis services); (3) clear and conspicuous notice at the beginning of any interaction and at least every three hours that the user is not communicating with a human; (4) beginning July 1, 2027, annual reports to the Attorney General on safety-protocol activations, with aggregated data published by the AG. Enforcement: Attorney General may investigate, sue and seek injunctions; civil penalties up to $15,000 per day, with fines directed to suicide prevention programs. No private right of action. Signed same day as companion H 7349 / S 2197 (therapy chatbot ban, indexed as RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026)).

Key facts

JurisdictionRhode Island
LevelState
StrengthModerate
EnactedJune 22, 2026
CitationR.I. Pub. Laws 2026, ch. 376 (S 2195 Sub A as amended) and ch. 375 (H 7350 Sub A as amended), R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-64 — enacted June 22, 2026; effective January 1, 2027
Private right of actionNo, agency enforcement only
PenaltiesCivil penalties up to $15,000 per day, with fines directed to suicide prevention programs; AG may investigate, sue and seek injunctions
Topicschildren's online safety · healthcare AI · consumer protection · automated decision-making
Bill textRI RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) — official record (webserver.rilegislature.gov)

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