WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a)–(g) As used in this chapter: (a) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(a)" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments. (b) (1) "Companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b)" means an artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(a) system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. (2) "Companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b)" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(g) and is limited to replies related to the video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(g) that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the meaning defined in Section 2256 of Title 18 of the United States Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(f), or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(g). (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user. (c) "Companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(c)" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbotsCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b). (d) "OfficeOffice"Office" means the Office of Suicide Prevention established pursuant to Section 131300 of the Health and Safety Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(d)" means the Office of Suicide Prevention established pursuant to Section 131300 of the Health and Safety Code. (e) "OperatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e)" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(c) available to a user in the state. (f) "Sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the meaning defined in Section 2256 of Title 18 of the United States Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(f)" has the meaning defined in Section 2256 of Title 18 of the United States Code. (g) "Video gameVideo game"Video game" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(g)" means a game played on an electronic amusement device that utilizes a computer, microprocessor, or similar electronic circuitry and its own monitor, or is designed to be used with a television set or a computer monitor, that interacts with the user of the device.
Section 22601 establishes the defined terms used throughout Chapter 22.6. The key definitions are companion chatbot (an AI system with a natural language interface capable of sustaining a relationship across multiple interactions and meeting social needs), companion chatbot platform (the platform hosting such chatbots), and operator (the person making the platform available in California). The companion chatbot definition includes significant carve-outs for customer service bots, video game bots with limited dialogue scope, and stand-alone voice assistant devices that do not sustain relationships or elicit emotional responses.
(a) 1 If a reasonable person interacting with a companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) would be misled to believe that the person is interacting with a human, an operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall issue a clear and conspicuous notification indicating that the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) is artificially generated and not human.
(b)(1)–(2) 2 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall prevent a companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) on its companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(c) from engaging with users unless the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) maintains a protocol for preventing the production of suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm content to the user, including, but not limited to, by providing a notification to the user that refers the user to crisis service providers, including a suicide hotline or crisis text line, if the user expresses suicidal ideation, suicide, or self-harm. (2) The operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall publish details on the protocol required by this subdivision on the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e)'s internet website.
(c)(1)–(2) 3 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall, for a user that the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) knows is a minor, do all of the following: (1) Disclose to the user that the user is interacting with artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(a). (2) Provide by default a clear and conspicuous notification to the user at least every three hours for continuing companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) interactions that reminds the user to take a break and that the companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) is artificially generated and not human.
(c)(3) 4 Institute reasonable measures to prevent its companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) from producing visual material of sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the meaning defined in Section 2256 of Title 18 of the United States Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(f) or directly stating that the minor should engage in sexually explicit conductSexually explicit conduct"Sexually explicit conduct" has the meaning defined in Section 2256 of Title 18 of the United States Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(f).
Section 22602 imposes the bill's core operating obligations on operators of companion chatbot platforms. Subsection (a) requires AI identity disclosure when a reasonable person could be misled — a conditional trigger. Subsection (b) establishes a continuous operating prerequisite: operators may not allow companion chatbots to engage with users at all unless the operator maintains a crisis protocol for preventing suicidal ideation, suicide, and self-harm content, and must publish that protocol publicly.
Subsection (c) imposes heightened obligations when the operator knows the user is a minor: unconditional AI identity disclosure, periodic break reminders at least every three hours, and reasonable measures to prevent sexually explicit content directed at minors. The minor disclosure in (c)(1) is unconditional — unlike (a), it does not depend on a reasonable-person deception standard.
(a)(1)–(3) 5 Beginning July 1, 2027, an operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall annually report to the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Suicide Prevention established pursuant to Section 131300 of the Health and Safety Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(d) all of the following: (1) The number of times the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) has issued a crisis service provider referral notification pursuant to Section 22602 in the preceding calendar year. (2) Protocols put in place to detect, remove, and respond to instances of suicidal ideation by users. (3) Protocols put in place to prohibit a companion chatbotCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) response about suicidal ideation or actions with the user.
(b) 5 The report required by this section shall include only the information listed in subdivision (a) and shall not include any identifiers or personal information about users.
(c) The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Suicide Prevention established pursuant to Section 131300 of the Health and Safety Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(d) shall post data from a report required by this section on its internet website.
(d) 6 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall use evidence-based methods for measuring suicidal ideation.
Section 22603 establishes annual reporting obligations beginning July 1, 2027. Operators must report to the Office of Suicide Prevention: (1) the number of crisis referral notifications issued under Section 22602, (2) protocols for detecting, removing, and responding to suicidal ideation, and (3) protocols for prohibiting companion chatbot responses about suicidal ideation with users. Reports must use evidence-based methods for measuring suicidal ideation and may not include user identifiers or personal information. The Office must publish the reported data on its website.
This section creates a dual obligation: quantitative crisis-referral counts and qualitative protocol descriptions. The evidence-based measurement requirement in subsection (d) applies to the operator's measurement methodology, not to the Office's publication.
7 An operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) shall disclose to a user of its companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(c), on the application, the browser, or any other format that a user can use to access the companion chatbot platformCompanion chatbot platform"Companion chatbot platform" means a platform that allows a user to engage with companion chatbots.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(c), that companion chatbotsCompanion chatbot"Companion chatbot" means an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. "Companion chatbot" does not include any of the following: (A) A bot that is used only for customer service, a business' operational purposes, productivity and analysis related to source information, internal research, or technical assistance. (B) A bot that is a feature of a video game and is limited to replies related to the video game that cannot discuss topics related to mental health, self-harm, sexually explicit conduct, or maintain a dialogue on other topics unrelated to the video game. (C) A stand-alone consumer electronic device that functions as a speaker and voice command interface, acts as a voice-activated virtual assistant, and does not sustain a relationship across multiple interactions or generate outputs that are likely to elicit emotional responses in the user.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(b) may not be suitable for some minors.
Section 22604 requires operators to disclose to users — on the application, browser, or any other access format — that companion chatbots may not be suitable for some minors. This is a general user-facing safety disclosure, not limited to minor users themselves. It applies at the platform access point rather than within an individual chatbot session.
(a)–(c) A person who suffers injury in fact as a result of a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action to recover all of the following relief: (a) Injunctive relief. (b) Damages in an amount equal to the greater of actual damages or one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation. (c) Reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
Section 22605 creates a private right of action for any person who suffers injury in fact as a result of a violation of the chapter. Available remedies include injunctive relief, the greater of actual damages or $1,000 per violation, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. The $1,000 statutory minimum does not require proof of monetary harm beyond injury in fact, creating a meaningful enforcement incentive for individual plaintiffs.
The duties, remedies, and obligations imposed by this chapter are cumulative to the duties, remedies, or obligations imposed under other law and shall not be construed to relieve an operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who makes a companion chatbot platform available to a user in the state.Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601(e) from any duties, remedies, or obligations imposed under any other law.
Section 22606 is a savings clause confirming that the obligations in this chapter are cumulative to obligations under other law. Operators cannot argue that compliance with this chapter relieves them of duties under other applicable statutes.