Illinois Senate · SB 316
AI Companion Model Safety Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Laura Ellman
- Committee
- Passed Both Chambers
- Last action
- May 31, 2026
- Effective if passed
- 2027-01-01
- Verified
Companion / character AI chatbots would have to detect when a user expresses suicidal thoughts or self-harm, act to prevent harm, and point the person to a crisis service like the 988 hotline. Passed both chambers; awaiting the Governor's signature.
What it does
Requires operators of AI companion / chatbot products designed for social or emotional interaction to develop and maintain protocols for detecting user expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm, to take steps to prevent such harm, and to refer affected users to a crisis-service provider such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Analyst read
Carries forward the companion-AI youth-safety provisions that circulated this session as SB 3262 (Companion AI Protection Act) and SB 3384 (AI Companion Model Safety Act). Follows California SB 243 and New York’s companion-chatbot law. As of July 31, 2026 it remains awaiting gubernatorial action, within the constitutional 60-day window — no signing or veto has been reported.
Enforcement
Enforcement and civil penalties for noncompliant operators
Procedural history
- 2026-06-01 Passed both chambers; transmitted to Gov. Pritzker at adjournment Among the five AI bills sent to the Governor
- 2026-05 Passed Senate 57-0 Unanimous Senate support
Regulatory vectors
Primary sources 1
- Bill status SB 316 — Bill Status & Full Action History
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