What happened
Morgan Lewis published analysis of Washington HB 2225 (signed by Governor Ferguson in late March) and Oregon SB 1546, both regulating AI companion chatbots. The laws require disclosure that users are interacting with AI every 3 hours, mandate suicide/self-harm detection protocols, and impose penalties. Oregon creates a private right of action with $1,000 statutory damages per violation; Washington relies on attorney general enforcement.
Why it matters
These are the first US state laws specifically targeting AI companion and relationship chatbots, establishing a regulatory template that other states may follow. Vendors of conversational AI products with persistent memory or anthropomorphic features now face concrete compliance obligations.
Action needed
AI companion and chatbot providers should review product features against both laws' definitions, implement required disclosure mechanisms, and establish suicide/self-harm detection protocols before Oregon's January 2027 effective date.