SB 3262 — Companion AI Protection Act

AI 'companion' apps couldn't be designed with the most addictive or harmful features, would have to give crisis-intervention referrals, and would have to make clear they aren't human — every session.

What it does

Establishes protections for users of companion AI products. Prohibits operators from deploying AI systems with specified harmful features. Mandates crisis intervention protocols, persistent machine-disclosure, and user safeguards.

Analyst read

UPDATE (June 2026): The companion-AI / youth-safety consensus that built behind SB 3262 (the Apr 10 ‘All Senators’ en-bloc co-sponsor add was an unusually strong signal) was carried across the finish line by SB 316 (AI Companion Model Safety Act, Ellman), which passed both chambers 57-0 in the Senate and was sent to the Governor on June 1, 2026. SB 3262 did not receive a standalone floor vote. See SB 316 for the enacted-track version.

Enforcement

Liability and enforcement provisions

Procedural history

2026-06-01 Companion-AI safety advanced via SB 316 at session close; SB 3262 itself did not get a standalone floor vote Near-consensus support was ultimately channeled into SB 316

2026-04-24 Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026

2026-04-15 Added Co-Sponsor Sen. Glowiak Hilton

2026-04-14 Added Co-Sponsors: Loughran Cappel, Collins, Guzmán, Martwick, Villa, Walker

2026-04-10 Added as Co-Sponsor All Senators (en bloc) Mass co-sponsor add — companion-AI safety polled well at the Apr 9-10 subject-matter hearing

2026-03-27 Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026

2026-03-13 Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

2026-02-18 To AI and Social Media

2026-02-17 Assigned to Executive

2026-02-03 Filed by Sen. Edly-Allen; First Reading; Referred to Assignments

Companion AI Protection Act

What it does

Analyst read

Enforcement

Procedural history

Regulatory vectors

Primary sources 1