Overview

• SB 243 mandates that companion chatbot operators clearly disclose interactions are AI, remind minors to take breaks at least every three hours, and forbid bots from presenting as health care professionals.
• Platforms must detect and respond to suicidal ideation, direct users to crisis services, restrict sexually explicit content for minors, and report safety protocols and referral statistics to state health authorities.
• The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and is part of a broader child-safety package that also enacts app-store and OS age-gating (AB 1043) and daily social media warning labels (AB 56) starting in 2027.
• California increased civil remedies for nonconsensual deepfake pornography, allowing victims, including minors, to seek up to $250,000 per action from third parties who knowingly facilitate distribution.
• Tech industry lobbying narrowed the bill and groups such as Common Sense Media and Tech Oversight withdrew support, while a separate, stricter companion-bot proposal (AB 1064) was still awaiting the governor’s decision.