AI Frontier Institute

Revised for 1st substitute: Regulating artificial intelligence companion chatbots.

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Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 (Chapter 168, Laws of 2026) is law in Washington and takes effect January 1, 2027 (Sec. 9). It creates a new chapter in Title 19 RCW (Sec. 7) regulating "AI companion chatbots." These are AI systems with a natural language interface that give adaptive, human-like responses and can sustain a relationship across multiple interactions (Sec. 2(1)(a)). Excluded are certain business-only bots, narrowly limited video game bots, basic voice-assistant speaker devices, and narrowly tailored educational tools (Sec. 2(1)(b)). Operators are those who make available or control access to such chatbots for users in Washington (Sec. 2(4)). Disclosure: operators must clearly disclose that the chatbot is artificial and not human, at the start of the interaction and at least every three hours. They must also take reasonable measures to stop the chatbot from claiming to be human (Sec. 3). Minors: if the operator knows the user is a minor (under 18), or the chatbot is directed to minors, the operator must give the not-human notification at the start and at least hourly. It must take reasonable measures to prevent sexually explicit content or suggestive dialogue with minors. It must also take reasonable measures to prohibit manipulative engagement techniques, such as prompting users to return for emotional support, mimicking romantic bonds, simulating distress when the user tries to leave, discouraging breaks, encouraging secrecy from trusted adults, and soliciting purchases to maintain the relationship (Sec. 4). Self-harm: an operator may not make available or deploy a companion chatbot without a protocol to detect and address suicidal ideation and self-harm, including eating disorders. The protocol must refer users to crisis resources and prevent content that encourages or describes self-harm. Operators must publicly disclose the protocol details and the number of crisis referral notifications issued in the preceding calendar year (Sec. 5). Enforcement: a violation is an unfair or deceptive act under the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW (Sec. 6). The act includes a severability clause (Sec. 8).

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