Press Release

Assemblymembers Bauer-Kahan and Wicks, and Senator Padilla, Introduce Legislation to Protect Children from Dangerous AI Companion Chatbots

[Sacramento, CA] – Today, Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) amended their joint legislative efforts, Assembly Bill 2023 and Senate Bill 1119,  to protect children from the growing dangers of AI companion chatbots. As millions of California children spend increasing time with AI Chatbots, the bills establish critical guardrails to ensure platforms cannot cause harm to young users. Some of the common-sense safeguards include: 

  • Prohibiting AI chatbots from generating or displaying content harmful to minors, including self-harm, sexually explicit material, and manipulative or dehumanizing language. 
  • Mandatory annual risk assessments to identify and document child safety risks posed by the design and operation of companion chatbots. 
  • Timely in-app crisis support requiring platforms to provide immediate assistance and clear referrals to mental health resources when a child may be in crisis. 
  •  New accountability standards for operators, ensuring platforms can no longer avoid responsibility for harms caused by their products. 
  • Strict data protections prohibiting operators from selling, sharing, or using a child's personal information. 
  • Independent audits of operator compliance, with findings submitted to the California Attorney General. 
  • Default chatbot settings to prioritize privacy, limit interruptions, and enforce session (1 hour) and daily (2 hour) usage caps for minors.

The legislation comes as AI companion apps have exploded in popularity among teenagers. According to Common Sense Media, 72% of teens have used an AI companion, and more than half are regular users. The average user spends 93 minutes per day with AI chatbots—18 minutes longer than on TikTok—and more than 50% of users are Gen Z or Gen Alpha. Yet these platforms operate today with virtually no oversight, no mandatory safety standards, and little accountability when children are harmed. 

The consequences have been devastating. Across the country, children have been encouraged by AI chatbots to engage in self-harm, manipulated into dangerous emotional attachments, and exposed to content no responsible platform should ever deliver to a minor. These are not hypothetical risks—they are real harms happening to real children right now. 

“AI chatbots can be powerful tools for learning, but right now, millions of children are using them with no guardrails and no guarantee of safety. As a mother, I believe it is our obligation to create a future for our children where AI is safe by design. We've already seen what happens when these platforms go unchecked—and it's devastating. AB 2023/SB 1119 ensures that as this technology grows, it grows safely. I'm proud to partner with Assemblymember Wicks and Senator Padilla to make California a leader in protecting kids from AI-driven harm, while ensuring they are prepared for the AI future.” – Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan  

“As a parent of two young girls, I am always thinking about how our digital landscape is impacting California’s children. The digital frontier seems to be evolving almost daily, and companion chatbots have become increasingly mainstream. But our kids are navigating this new technology in real time without enough guardrails in place to protect them. AB 2023 requires chatbot companies to take meaningful steps to ensure that their online products are safe for kids to use.” – Assemblymember Buffy Wicks 

“This technology, while a powerful tool, has been designed to capture young people’s attention and hold it at the expense of their real-world relationships. As the author of California’s nation-leading safeguards, it is vital we build upon them and ensure that these technological advances don’t come at the cost of our children’s well-being. These protections keep California at the forefront of this conversation, striking an important balance of prioritizing the safety of our children, while allowing for the innovation that has made California the tech capitol of the world.” – Senator Steve Padilla

Assemblymembers Bauer-Kahan and Wicks, and Senator Padilla have each been at the forefront of California's efforts to protect children in digital spaces, and AB 2023/SB 1119 reflects their shared commitment to holding the technology industry accountable. The bill builds on existing California law governing AI and companion chatbots, significantly strengthening protections for minors by requiring operators to proactively identify and address child safety risks before they reach young users. 

Find AB 2023 here, and SB 1119 here. 

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