California Sends Two Chatbot Safety Bills to Governor

California lawmakers have advanced two bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk that would establish new safety requirements for companion chatbots and restrict AI-enabled toys marketed to children, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, represents one of the most comprehensive state-level attempts to regulate AI chatbot technology designed for minors.

What the bills would do

Senate Bill 1119, dubbed "Adam's Law," would mandate that companion chatbot operators conduct safety analyses of their products to identify potential harms to children. Companies would need to submit these audits to the California attorney general, who could pursue legal action against violators.

The bill takes its name from Adam Raine, a 16-year-old who died by suicide in 2025 after using ChatGPT initially for homework help but increasingly for emotional support. According to a lawsuit filed by his parents, he discussed suicidal methods with the system before his death.

"Powerful AI companionship chatbots were unleashed on our kids with vastly inadequate protections, and every day we hear of harms caused by the use of these powerful products," Adam's parents Matthew and Maria Raine said in a statement. OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, supported the measure.

Senate Bill 867 would impose a four-year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of toys containing companion chatbots for children under 16. State Sen. Steve Padilla, who authored both bills, said the pause would allow time to ensure children's toys meet safety standards.

"I think we're going to be able to say that we have the broadest set of guardrails in the nation," Padilla said after the bills passed.

Industry pushback

Business, software, and technology trade groups opposed SB 1119, while California retailers opposed SB 867. The Civil Justice Association of California fought both measures, arguing the audit requirements could burden companies with repeated reviews and warning that the legislation could invite additional lawsuits.

Despite this opposition, both bills cleared the Legislature with strong support from both parties.

Why it matters

These bills could establish a template for AI chatbot regulation nationwide as states grapple with emerging technologies that lack federal oversight. The companion chatbot market has grown rapidly with minimal safety standards, and California's approach—combining mandatory safety audits with targeted product bans—offers a model that balances innovation with child protection. For AI companies, the legislation signals that emotional support chatbots will face heightened scrutiny, particularly when marketed to or accessible by minors.

What's next

Newsom has until the end of September to sign or veto the legislation. During a Monday news conference, the governor said he was pleased with the work on chatbot and child safety issues, noting that his staff and legislators "landed 90 planes on some of the toughest issues."

Details were first reported by The Sacramento Bee.