Thousands of proposals have been put forward to regulate AI applications over the past few years. Proposed legislation varies in scope and state legislators are still determining the right fit. For example, does an AI mental health bill apply to mental health focused AI chatbots? Do laws focused on generative AI need to specify that these laws also include AI chatbot interactions?

This year, legislation specifically focused on AI chatbot interactions in different contents like during shopping transactions, delivery of medical services, companionship, medial contexts and embedded in different digital products surged. Youth safety during AI chatbot use became a major focus as more and more young people use these tools daily. Over 100 different pieces of legislation were introduced across the US in 2026 and at least 12 states passed new laws narrowly focused on AI chatbot interactions this year. 

A new study from a non-profit focused on measuring children’s online behavior reports that 67 percent of minors in their 2025 survey report using an AI chatbot or companion. A Pew Research poll of young people shows that over half of teens use AI chatbots for school work and 12 percent of respondents report using them to get emotional support. Legislative analysis and other commentary hint at state leaders intention behind AI chatbot focused proposals.  For example, a memo from state legislators in Pennsylvania points to constituent concerns alleged in recent lawsuits that AI chatbots contributed to their teen’s death by suicide, involving interactions with popular AI companions.

Although this summary focuses narrowly on AI chatbot laws, AI-sector specific laws, privacy and data laws, consumer protection and safety laws all can apply to these interactions as well.

AZ: The Arizona Legislature passed a new law (HB 2311) requiring AI chatbot disclosures, additional safety measures for minor users, and guardrails for sexually explicit AI-generated content. The Governor stepped in and halted the law noting in her veto letter that the legislation did not go far enough. 

CA: All of the activity in California around AI chatbots comes to no surprise, with the state being the first in the US to pass this type of law in 2019. Legislative sessions are two years long and California’s full-time legislators will start acting on legislation again. At the end of 2025, the California Legislature passed and the Governor signed a new law (SB 243) that requires a clear disclosure during companion chatbot interactions that the companion chatbot is artificially generated and not human. The platform must also have a protocol on how to respond to suicide ideation inquiries. Over five other AI chatbot focused pieces of legislation are active in the legislative process. 

Some of the legislation being considered focuses on what is allowed in AI chatbot interactions with minors.

Other legislation focus on the use of AI chatbots in customer service.

CO: Colorado’s new law (HB 1263) requires disclosures when a consumer is chatting with an AI system and prohibits the AI system from representing itself as a medical or mental health professional, lawyer, or dietitian. If the chatbot interacts with someone under 18, certain types of content are prohibited.

CT:  Over 40 state legislators in the Connecticut General Assembly have co-sponsored an AI-focused piece of legislation (SB 5) which is a multi-pronged approach with elements like establishing some new requirements for AI chatbots and automated AI employment-related decisions; creating an AI Policy Office; investing in an AI Academy; and, creating workforce development programs; among others.

GA: Georgia's General Assembly passed a new law (SB 540) which requires disclosures for chatbots and imposes requirements for minor accounts, such as preventing chatbots from producing or generating sexually explicit content.

HI: A new law (SB 3001) signed by Hawaii’s Governor this month requires AI chatbot applications to issue disclosures, implement certain protocols related to suicidal ideation and self-harm, and issued new requirements for minor users. The new law also requires annual reports to the Behavioral Health Administration of the Department of Health. Another proposed law (HB 1782) focused on children's interactions with minors did not pass. If passed, the bill would have prohibited systems from being designed to interact with minors in specific contexts, such as companionship, mental health, and romantic relationships,

IA: A new law in Iowa (SB 2417) focuses on AI chatbot interactions, requiring disclosures and specific considerations for minors, as well as additional mental health measures.

ID:  The Idaho State Legislature passed a new law SB 1297 that prohibits "gamification" intended to encourage excessive engagement and requires measures to prevent sexually explicit content during AI chatbot interactions. Other new requirements are specific to minors.

ME: A piece of legislation that moved pretty far through the process, didn’t end up making it. If the proposed LD 2162 would have passed, AI products with human-like chatbots would have been prohibited from minor access and would have required deployers to implement age-verification measures to prevent children from accessing these products. Last year, Maine legislators passed a new law (LD 1727) focused on transparency in consumer transactions involving AI. 

MI: State legislators in Michigan are considering (SB 760) a broad piece of legislation focused on children’s use of digital products. The proposal includes a prohibition of companion chatbot use for minors if the product is not capable of protecting the minor's safety, wellbeing, or development.

NE: A new law (LB 525) in Nebraska focuses on privacy rights related to agricultural producers' data in Nebraska and includes disclosure requirements for AI chatbots

NY: Two AI chatbots laws are awaiting the Governor’s signature. The New York State Legislature passed (SB 9051B) which restricts the types of content AI chatbots can share with minors. The other bill (SB 9408) places a temporary moratorium on toys sold to young children that include AI chatbot companion capabilities. The state budget (SB 9008C/SB 3008C) passed by legislators included new requirements for AI companion products.

OK: Oklahoma legislators considered an AI chatbot focused piece of legislation (SB 1521) that did not pass. The bill would have established new requirements for operators of AI chatbots that interact with minors and requires platforms to provide parents with parental management tools for minor accounts.

PA: State legislators are considering (SB 1090) focused on AI chatbot safeguards and requires chatbots disclose they are artificially generated. 

RI: Two new complimentary AI-focused laws (HB 7350/SB 2195) require safety features for AI chatbots, including addressing suicide ideation.

TN: A new law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly (SB 1700) prohibits certain AI chatbot interactions with minors related to self-harm, mental health therapy, and sexually explicit content.

VT:  A new law focused on mental health and AI (HB 816) requires mental health services to be provided by a licensed mental health professional. 

WA: A new law passed this year (HB 2225) focused on transparency and self-harm, suicidal ideation, or emotional crisis when minors interact with AI companion chatbots. The legislation, effective January 2027, includes a private right of action. 

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Disclosure: This is a human-written and driven publication. As a small business owner and mighty team of one, I use AI tools to optimize my small business operations as a part of my admin tech stack. Regarding this publication, AI is mainly used to help with catchy titles, as a thesaurus when writing and a partner when creating cartoons. (Thanks, Canva, and not an ad!) As a secret doodler, I add my human touch using my digital pad and pen. I also use Grammarly, with AI built in, to help with copy editing/grammar (again, mighty team of one!) Thanks for reading. 😊