The Overview

If your teen chats with an AI companion, California just set new rules for the companies that built it. Starting July 1, 2027, companies running AI companion chatbots in California must assess and document risks to minors and undergo independent child safety audits before launching new or substantially changed versions. ​

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1119 into law on Sept. 10. Concern about AI companions and minors has grown after researchers found that teen interactions with them could exploit emotional needs and become harmful, and after high-profile cases raised questions about emotionally persuasive chatbots.

What the Law Does

Before launching a new or substantially modified companion chatbot, operators must document a risk assessment of its design, configuration, and operation as they relate to minors, including results from evaluating each defined "covered harm."

They must also undergo independent child safety audits, with the lead auditor certifying results under penalty of perjury. The law deletes rules for companion chatbot operators that applied when they knew a user was a minor. The state Attorney General may request any audit report for cause, and a child who suffers actual harm, or a parent acting for that child, may bring a civil action against the operator.

Legislative Status

Sen. Steve Padilla (D-CA-18) sponsored the bill, with eight cosponsors: Buffy Wicks, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Jesse Arreguín, Dave Cortese, Aisha Wahab, Ash Kalra, Kate Sanchez, and Josh Lowenthal.

The Senate passed the bill May 19, 39 to 0; the Assembly passed it Aug. 31, 69 to 4; and the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments the same day, 39 to 0.

Padilla called the law "the most comprehensive digital protections for children interacting with AI companion chatbots in the United States." OpenAI said it supports the law, describing it as establishing "a strong framework for youth AI safety in California," and Common Sense Media called it "the nation's most comprehensive safety requirements for companion chatbots used by children."

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