California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 243, a landmark bill making the state the first in the U.S. to regulate AI companion chatbots. The law requires operators — including major platforms such as Meta, OpenAI, Character AI, and Replika — to implement safety protocols protecting children and vulnerable users from chatbot-related harms.
Introduced by Senators Steve Padilla and Josh Becker, the legislation gained momentum after several tragic incidents involving minors and unregulated AI interactions. SB 243, effective January 1, 2026, mandates age verification, self-harm prevention protocols, and clear disclosure that conversations are AI-generated. Companies must also restrict sexualized content, offer breaks for minors, and share safety data with the California Department of Public Health.
The bill follows recent AI transparency legislation and underscores California’s leadership in responsible AI governance.
