In one paragraph
Not law. AB 965 would have barred operators from making a companion chatbot available to Wisconsin children unless safety measures kept it from encouraging self-harm, suicide, violence, drug or alcohol use or disordered eating; offering mental health services; encouraging illegal acts; sexual content with a child; putting validation ahead of accuracy or safety; or optimizing engagement over those safeguards. Until 2027 it would have applied only when the operator knew the user was a child. Forfeitures up to $25,000 per violation, and harmed children could sue. It failed to pass when the session's floor period ended on March 23, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died, so it creates no obligations for companion-chatbot operators in Wisconsin.
Key provisions
- Covers companion chatbots: generative AI that remembers prior sessions and preferences, asks unprompted emotion-based questions and sustains personal dialogue, with listed exclusions
- No companion chatbot for a Wisconsin child unless safety measures keep it from encouraging self-harm, suicidal ideation, violence, drug or alcohol use or disordered eating
- Nor may it offer mental health services, discourage seeking help, encourage harm to others or illegal activity (including creating child sexual abuse material), or depict, describe or solicit sexually explicit conduct with a child
- No prioritizing validation over factual accuracy or the child's safety, and no engagement optimization that overrides the safeguards
- Until January 1, 2027, applies only when the operator actually knows the user is a child
- DATCP, or DOJ in consultation with DATCP, may seek forfeitures up to $25,000 per violation and injunctions; a harmed child or parent may sue for actual and punitive damages
- Introduced January 29, 2026; public hearing February 4, 2026; failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on March 23, 2026; Senate companion: SB 939
Latest legislative action
Mar 23, 2026. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
Sponsors (showing 5 of 27)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Allen | Primary |
| Armstrong | Primary |
| Behnke | Primary |
| Brandtjen | Primary |
| Dittrich | Primary |
Amendments (1)
-
Assembly Amendment 1 Not adopted 2026-02-05
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