The Governor signed a package of child-safety bills that, among other things, require risk assessments before new companion-chatbot rollouts, add penalties for harm to children and restrict toys that include a companion chatbot. According to the announcement and secondary reporting, most provisions take effect on 1 January 2027 and the companion-chatbot safeguards on 1 July 2027. Recorded from secondary reporting; confirm each bill against its enrolled text.
Providers of companion chatbots available to minors in California should plan risk assessments and safeguards for the 2027 dates.
Governor Newsom signs the strongest child safety chatbot and social media laws in the nationOffice of the Governor of California · 10 Sep 2026
AIPolicyTracker (2026). “California signs child-safety laws covering companion chatbots and social media”. https://aipolicytracker.org/changes/2026-09-10-california-companion-chatbot-child-safety-laws (accessed 5 October 2026). Data licensed CC BY 4.0.
Cite the official text alongside it: Governor Newsom signs the strongest child safety chatbot and social media laws in the nation, Office of the Governor of California, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/10/governor-newsom-signs-the-strongest-child-safety-chatbot-and-social-media-laws-in-the-nation/.
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult qualified counsel before acting.
