Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses.
Summary
This California bill establishes requirements for companion chatbots to include crisis interruption pause features. The legislation, added to the Business and Professions Code, would apply to companies that develop or deploy conversational AI systems used for companionship purposes. The bill aims to ensure these chatbots can recognize and appropriately pause interactions when users may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Sponsor
Last action
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
May 21, 2026
Topics
Legislative history
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0.)
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 4580.)
(Pending re-refer to Com. on HEALTH)
Referred to Coms. on P. & C.P. and HEALTH.
From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
Read first time. To print.