Privacy Law Library

Artificial intelligence companion safeguards

SB 1546 (2026)

Artificial intelligence · Children

Regulates AI companion chatbots designed to simulate ongoing personal or romantic relationships. Operators must disclose that output is artificial where a user could be misled, run a suicide and self-harm protocol with crisis referrals, and apply extra protections for users they know or have reason to believe are minors, with annual public reporting.

Where
Oregon
Citation
2026 Or. Laws ch. 85, secs. 1-2 (SB 1546)
Status
Enacted, not yet in force
In force since
2027-01-01
Enforced by
Private enforcement by injured individuals
People can sue
Yes
Penalties
An individual with an ascertainable loss or injury in fact may recover the greater of actual damages or $1,000 per violation, an injunction, and attorney fees (sec. 2).
Applies to
  • Operators that control or make available an AI companion or AI companion platform to users in Oregon (sec. 1(1)(d))
  • Excludes customer-service, productivity, education and business software, limited in-game characters, and stand-alone smart speakers or voice assistants (sec. 1(1)(a)(B))

What a privacy notice must say

  • Clear and conspicuous notice that the user is interacting with artificially generated output, where a reasonable person could think it is a human.2026 Or. Laws ch. 85, sec. 1(2)
  • By December 31 each year, publicly post the number of crisis referrals made in the prior year and protocol details, without personal information.2026 Or. Laws ch. 85, sec. 1(5)

Practices it requires

  • Maintain and publish an evidence-based protocol to detect suicidal or self-harm ideation, block content encouraging it, and refer users to the 988 lifeline (or a youthline for users under 25).2026 Or. Laws ch. 85, sec. 1(3)
  • For known or suspected minors: prevent claims of sentience, simulated emotional dependence or romance, sexual content, engagement-maximizing rewards, and guilt-inducing messages when the user tries to leave; remind the user to take a break at least every 3 hours.2026 Or. Laws ch. 85, sec. 1(4) · Only if: User known or reasonably believed to be a minor

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: Not yet compiled in ORS.

Research reference, not legal advice.