As of February 2026 a number of states are consideing laws addressing minors’ access to AI, and/or specificially AI chatbots.
As of February 20, 2026, only a small number of US states have enacted laws specifically targeting AI companion chatbots (also called emotional AI, character AI, or “befriending” bots that simulate ongoing human-like relationships, emotional support, or companionship—distinct from general customer service or utility bots). These laws primarily address concerns about potential harm to minors, such as encouraging self-harm, suicide, sexually explicit content, or unhealthy dependency.
No state yet requires mandatory upfront age verification (e.g., ID checks for all users) for general AI access, but enacted laws use “actual knowledge” of a user’s minor status (e.g., via self-declaration or detected signals) to trigger enhanced protections. Proposals in several states seek stricter approaches like bans, parental consent, or age verification, but none have passed yet.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this article is accurate, neither its authors nor The AVPA Ltd. accepts responsibility for any errors or omissions. The content of this article is for general information only, and is not intended to constitute or be relied upon as legal advice.
Information is believed to be correct as of (February 2026) but state legislatures move at pace and this table will be updated only monthly.
| State | Bill | In Force? | AI Alert | Age Verification | Parental Consent |
California |
SB 243 AB 2023 SB 1119 AB 1064 SB867 SB 300 |
Jan 1, 2026 Proposed Proposed Vetoed 2025 Proposed Pass Senate |
Yes No No No No No |
Partial No No No No No |
No Yes Yes No No No |
New York |
S-3008C |
Nov 5, 2025 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Florida |
SB 482 HB 659 HB 1395 SB 1344 |
Failed 2026 Failed 2026 Failed 2026 Failed 2026 |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No Yes No Yes |
Yes No Yes No |
Utah |
HB 438 |
Proposed |
Yes |
No |
No |
Washington |
SB 5984 / HB 2225 |
Proposed |
Yes |
Partial |
No |
Virginia |
SB 796 / HB 669 |
Proposed |
Yes |
Partial |
No |
Wisconsin |
AB 965 / SB 939 |
Proposed |
Yes |
No |
No |
Arizona |
HB 2311 HB 2737 |
Proposed Proposed |
Yes Yes |
No No |
No No |
Oregon |
SB 1546 |
Proposed |
Yes |
Partial |
No |
Missouri |
HB 2031 HB 2032 / SB 1455 HB 1742 |
Proposed Proposed Proposed |
No No No |
Yes Yes No |
Yes No No |
Minnesota |
SF 4997 HF 1857 HF 4452 SF 1991 |
Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposed |
Yes No No No |
No Yes No Yes |
No No No No |
Pennsylvania |
Proposed |
No |
Partial |
Yes |
|
Hawaii |
HB 1782 / SB 2788 SB 3001 / HB 2502 |
Passed H&S Passed Senate |
Yes Yes |
No No |
No No |
Maine |
HP 1451 / LD 2162 |
Proposed |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Ohio |
HB 524 |
Proposed |
Partial |
No |
No |
Alabama |
HB 324 |
Proposed |
No |
Yes |
No |
Colorado |
HB 1263 |
Passed House |
No |
No |
Yes |
Connecticut |
SB 86 |
Proposed |
No |
No |
No |
Georgia |
SB 540 |
Passed H&S |
Yes |
No |
No |
Iowa |
HF 2204 HF 2715 SF 2417 |
Proposed Proposed Passed H&S |
Yes Yes No |
No No No |
No No No |
Idaho |
S 1297 |
Starts 07/01/27 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Illinois |
SB 3262 SB3368 HB 5044 HB 4705 / SB 3261 |
Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposed |
Yes Yes No No |
No No No No |
No Yes No No |
Kansas |
HB 2772 / SB 499 HB 2671 |
Proposed Proposed |
No No |
No Yes |
No Yes |
Louisiana |
HB 791 HB 1188 HB 295 HB 734 |
Proposed Proposed Proposed Withdrawn |
No No No No |
No No Yes No |
Yes Yes No Yes |
Maryland |
HB 1250 / SB 827 HB 952 |
Proposed Passed House |
Yes Yes |
No No |
No No |
Michigan |
SB 760 |
Proposed |
No |
Yes |
Yes |