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Laws · California

California Companion Chatbots Law (SB 243)

Operators of companion chatbot platforms must disclose that the chatbot is AI where a person could be misled, keep and publish a protocol for suicidal-ideation and self-harm content (including crisis referrals), and add protections for known minors, such as break reminders and limits on sexual content. Annual reports start July 2027. People harmed can sue. Expanded in 2026 by SB 1119.

At a glance

In forceNext: Operators start annual reports to the Office of Suicide Prevention, Jul 1, 2027 (in 270 days).
Jurisdiction
California
Type
Law
Official title
SB 243 (Padilla), Companion chatbots (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601 et seq.), Chapter 677, Statutes of 2025

What this means for you

If you build AI

  • If your product is a companion chatbot, keep and publish a suicide and self-harm protocol with crisis referrals, and add protections for known minors.
  • From July 1, 2027, file annual reports with the Office of Suicide Prevention, and run Adam's Law risk assessments before new releases.

If you deploy AI

  • If you run a companion chatbot platform for Californians, you are the operator: the disclosure and protocol duties fall on you.
  • Non-compliance can lead to private lawsuits by people who are harmed.

If you use AI

  • A companion chatbot must tell you it is AI if you could be misled, and point you to crisis services if you mention self-harm.
  • If you are harmed because an operator broke these rules, you may be able to sue.

Key dates

  1. Sep 10, 2026PastSB 1119 ("Adam's Law") signed: amends SB 243's disclosure section and adds child-safety dutiesSource
  2. Jul 1, 2027in 270 daysOperators start annual reports to the Office of Suicide PreventionSource
  3. Jul 1, 2027in 270 daysAdam's Law: child-safety risk assessment required before releasing new or substantially modified companion chatbotsSource
  4. Jan 1, 2028in 454 daysAttorney General must set up a public complaint mechanism for companion chatbotsSource
  5. Jan 1, 2029in 820 daysAdam's Law: first child safety audit due (operators under $500M revenue exempt before 2032)Source

Status history

  1. Jan 1, 2026In forceAuthor's (Sen. Padilla) official release; no court order blocking it foundSource
  2. Oct 13, 2025PassedSigned by the GovernorSource

In the Drops

No Drop has covered this law yet.