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Connecticut CART Act first obligations begin · Oct 1, 2026 · See what changes
SB 1119, signed by Governor Newsom on September 10, 2026, expands California's companion chatbot rules for children. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with most operator obligations starting July 1, 2027, including a pre-release risk assessment of harms to children for new or substantially modified chatbots. Operators must also undergo an independent child safety audit, first due by January 1, 2029 or before the chatbot is first made publicly available (whichever is later), and every two years after.
If you operate a companion chatbot that children can use in California, plan a documented risk assessment before your July 1, 2027 release milestones and budget for an independent auditor with no financial stake in the outcome. If you only embed a general-purpose chatbot in a business tool, check whether it counts as a companion chatbot under the statute.
Attorney General and public prosecutors: up to $5,000 per affected child for each negligent violation and up to $15,000 per affected child for each intentional violation. A child harmed by a violation of the operational requirements, or a parent, may also sue for actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.