CA AB1988: Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses.

In one paragraph

California's AB 1988, the Preventing AI User Self Endangerment (PAUSE) Act, would have required companion chatbot operators to adopt a public policy for credible crisis expressions (intent to harm self or others), warn the user on the first one, and on a second within 72 hours start a crisis interruption pause that continues until a human moderator reviews the chat. It passed the Assembly 73-0 on May 21, 2026; its three Senate committee hearings (June 12, 22 and 26) were canceled at the author's request, and the bill died. It did not become law.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill did not pass. Had it become law, companion chatbot operators would have needed crisis monitoring, human review, record-keeping and annual reporting.

Key provisions

1. 1Would have required an operator to monitor for credible crisis expressions and publish a policy for identifying and responding to them (B&P Code 22587.2)
2. 2Would have required a warning on the first credible crisis expression, with 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline information
3. 3Would have required a crisis interruption pause on a second expression within 72 hours, ending only after a human moderator reviews it and documents the course of action
4. 4Would have required operators to document expressions and pauses and, from January 1, 2028, report annually to the Office of Suicide Prevention (22587.3)
5. 5Would have been enforceable under Section 22605; passed the Assembly 73-0 on May 21, 2026, then stalled in Senate committee

Latest legislative action

Jun 26, 2026. In committee: Set, final hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

Sponsors

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 4)