United States of America: Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms (Bill No. SB 243)

Progress

Current status
in grace period
01 Jul 2027 in force
01 Jan 2026 in grace period
13 Oct 2025 adopted
11 Sep 2025 adopted
03 Jun 2025 under deliberation
30 Jan 2025 under deliberation

Scope

Implementers
United States of America
Policy Area
Consumer protection
Policy Instrument
Fair marketing and advertising practice requirement
Regulated Economic Activity
ML and AI development
Government Branch
executive
legislature
Government Body
central government
parliament
Implementation Level
subnational

Timeline of events

01 Jul 2027
in force

Annual reporting obligations under the Law on Companion Chatbots (SB 243) enter into force

On 1 July 2027, the annual reporting obligations under the Law on Companion Chatbots (SB 243) enter into force, as established in Chapter 22.6 (commencing with Section 22601) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code. The law defines “compa…

Source
Event type law
Action type implementation
Government branch executive
Government body central government
01 Jan 2026
in grace period

Law on Companion Chatbots (SB 243) enters into force with grace period

On 1 January 2026, the Law on Companion Chatbots (SB 243) enters into force, adding Chapter 22.6 (commencing with Section 22601) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code. The law defines “companion chatbot” as an artificial intelligence sy…

Source
Event type law
Action type in force with grace period
Government branch executive
Government body central government
13 Oct 2025
adopted

Governor of California signed Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms (SB 243)

On 13 October 2025, the Governor of California signed into law the Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms (SB 243). The law defines “companion chatbot” as an art…

Source
Event type law
Action type signing
Government branch executive
Government body central government
11 Sep 2025
adopted

California State Legislature adopted Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms (SB 243)

On 11 September 2025, the California State Legislature adopted the Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms (SB 243). The Bill defines “companion chatbot” as an ar…

Source
Event type law
Action type adoption
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
03 Jun 2025
under deliberation

Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms was passed by California State Senate (Bill No. SB 243)

On 3 June 2025, the Bill amending the California Business and Professions Code to include obligations for operators of companion chatbot platforms was passed by the California State Senate. The Bill applies to operators of companion chatbot platform…

Source
Event type law
Action type passage
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
30 Jan 2025
under deliberation

Bill establishing obligations for chatbots used by minors (SB 243) was introduced to California Senate

On 30 January 2025, the Bill establishing obligations for chatbots used by minors (SB 243) was introduced in the California Senate. The Bill would seek to regulate chatbot platforms used by minors by imposing obligations on platform operators to mit…

Source
Event type law
Action type introduction
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament