The Washington AI Companion Chatbot Law (HB 2225) regulates AI companion chatbots with safeguards for all users and stricter rules for minors. Operators must maintain protocols for responding to suicidal ideation and self-harm and must disclose that the chatbot is not human. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Minor Protections in the Washington AI Companion Chatbot Law
Users under 18 must get the not-human reminder every hour. Inappropriate adult content directed at minors is prohibited, along with design tactics that guilt or pressure a minor into staying in a conversation or hiding it from parents.
Private Right of Action
Harmed users can sue operators directly under the law’s private right of action. Companion AI products available in Washington will need age-aware safety engineering before the effective date. The law was signed March 24, 2026 as Chapter 168.
Age verification, disclosure timing, and crisis escalation are the three engineering workstreams to scope first.
Source: Washington State Legislature: HB 2225
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint with the Washington Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.
