In one paragraph
California's AB 2023 (2025-26 Regular Session) would have required an operator of a companion chatbot to, on or before July 1, 2027, take child-safety steps including an annual risk assessment, and to submit to an independent audit whose report goes to the Attorney General. The Assembly passed it 66-8 on May 26, 2026; it was ordered to the Senate inactive file on August 30, 2026 and was not passed before the session ended.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died and never became law. It would have required companion chatbot operators to assess child-safety risks, undergo independent audits and face public and private enforcement.
Key provisions
- Would add Chapter 22.6.1 (commencing with Section 22610) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code
- Operator of a companion chatbot would have to, on or before July 1, 2027, annually perform and document a risk assessment of child safety risks, including the likelihood of covered harm to child users
- Operator would have to submit to an independent audit; within 90 days the auditor would send an AI child safety audit report to the Attorney General, kept confidential except as specified
- Beginning January 1, 2028, the Attorney General would issue an annual public report on the audits
- A public prosecutor could bring a civil action; a child who suffers actual harm, or a parent or guardian on the child's behalf, could bring a civil action
- Status: ordered to the Senate inactive file August 30, 2026; the session ended without final passage
Latest legislative action
Aug 30, 2026. Ordered to inactive file at the request of the Senator.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Buffy Wicks D | Sponsor | HD-014 |
| Josh Lowenthal D | Sponsor | HD-069 |
| Rebecca Bauer-Kahan D | Sponsor | HD-016 |
| Steve Padilla D | Sponsor | SD-018 |
Roll call votes
A Do pass May 14, 2026
12 yea3 nayPassed
A Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] Apr 21, 2026
13 yea2 nayPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error