California signs AI chatbot safety laws for children

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of child-safety technology laws on September 10, 2026, in Sacramento, establishing the nation's first mandatory risk-assessment framework for AI chatbots and expanded protections for minors on social media platforms the Governor's office.

The legislation, which includes "Adam's Law," requires AI chatbot developers to implement parental controls, establish crisis protocols for suicidal ideation, and notify users when children disable safety settings. Companies must also conduct independent child-safety audits and perform annual risk assessments before deploying chatbots Reuters.

Mandatory Risk Assessments and Compliance

The chatbot provisions mark the first state-level mandate requiring companies to systematically evaluate child-safety risks in conversational AI systems before public rollout. Under the framework, developers must document potential harms, mitigation strategies, and independent verification of safety controls the state Senate bill summary.

The broader social-media package restricts features deemed "psychologically exploitative" for children under 16, specifically those designed to maximize engagement that "foreseeably lead to compulsive use" Reuters. Large platforms face penalties of up to $1 million per child if found negligent in causing harm to minors.

Enforcement and Industry Impact

The laws represent a significant regulatory escalation in the AI agent economy, as chatbot developers and social-media companies must now allocate resources to compliance infrastructure, third-party audits, and legal review before deploying consumer-facing systems. The requirement for annual risk assessments establishes an ongoing compliance obligation rather than a one-time certification.

The signing follows months of advocacy by child-safety groups and comes as AI chatbots—particularly large language models with conversational capabilities—have become subject to increased scrutiny over their interactions with minors. The independent audit requirement creates a new service category for compliance firms and child-safety researchers.