Bill > SB3001

This bill, titled the "Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act," mandates that operators of AI companions (systems designed to simulate a human-like relationship by remembering past interactions and asking personal questions) must clearly inform users when they are interacting with artificial intelligence, especially if a reasonable person might believe they are talking to a human. For users identified as minors (under 18), this disclosure must be persistent or appear at the beginning of each session and at least hourly, reminding them they are talking to AI and encouraging breaks. Operators must also implement protocols to respond to prompts about suicidal ideation or self-harm by referring users to crisis intervention services, avoid programming AI companions to provide professional mental health care, and take reasonable steps to prevent AI from encouraging self-harm or generating sexually explicit content or statements that sexually objectify users. Furthermore, for minor users, operators are prohibited from using rewards to increase engagement, discouraging disengagement, and must provide tools for parents and guardians to manage screen time and account settings. Beginning January 1, 2028, operators must submit annual reports to the Department of Health's Behavioral Health Administration detailing crisis intervention referrals and protocols for handling self-harm or suicide prompts, without including user-identifying information. Violations of these provisions will be considered unfair or deceptive business practices, though the bill does not create a private right of action for individuals to sue.