Companion chatbots: children’s safety.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
In Floor Process
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to improve the safety of companion chatbots for children in California. It requires operators of these chatbots to conduct annual risk assessments, submit to independent audits, and implement specific safety measures like age verification, parental controls, and safeguards against harmful content. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to publish an annual report on audit findings and allows for civil lawsuits against operators who violate the new regulations.
Key provisions
- Requires annual risk assessments to identify child safety risks associated with companion chatbots.
- Mandates independent audits of compliance with the new safety standards.
- Requires operators to implement parental controls, including time limits and content restrictions.
- Prohibits targeted advertising to children through companion chatbots.
- Requires operators to disclose to children that they are interacting with an AI system.
- Establishes a process for reporting child safety incidents.
- Authorizes civil lawsuits against operators for violations of the bill's provisions.
- Creates a framework for the Attorney General to issue public reports on audit findings.
Who is affected
- Companion chatbot operators
- Parents of children
- Children under 18
- The Attorney General’s office
- Public prosecutors
Notable changes
Bill text
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Sponsors
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9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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