Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
Large private businesses (over $500,000,000 in annual gross revenue) may not present a customer service chatbot as human and must disclose it is AI when a reasonable person is likely to be misled. During regular business hours they must offer a simple way to reach a human agent and make a good-faith effort to connect the customer within 15 minutes or book a callback within one business day. Public prosecutors enforce; penalties up to $5,000, then $10,000.
Who must comply
'Large private businesses': businesses with more than $500,000,000 in gross annual revenue nationally that provide goods or services to customers (customers are California residents). Exempt: services under PUC General Orders 133 or 103-A, exclusive business lines, hospital communications about health care services, and consumer reporting agencies (22628(g)).
What it requires
| AI disclosure | A covered business may not represent that a customer service chatbot is human, and must clearly and conspicuously disclose that it is artificially generated and not human if a reasonable person interacting with it is likely to be misled. The disclosure must appear in the medium the chatbot uses.When: When a reasonable person is likely to be misled (no set interval in the text)§ 22626 |
|---|---|
| Other duties | During at least regular business hours, businesses must offer a simple feature on every customer service platform to request a human agent, then make a good-faith effort to connect the customer within 15 minutes or give a specific appointment time within one business day. Customers should not wait more than 15 minutes at any point or one hour cumulatively, and businesses selling online that have a phone line must post the number on their website.§ 22627 |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Public prosecutors§ 22628 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | No |
| Penalties | Civil penalty of up to $5,000 for an initial violation and up to $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Using commercially reasonable and practicable standards satisfies the 'good faith effort' standard; failures caused by unforeseen circumstances or emergencies are not violations. |
Key dates
- The law takes effect
Sources
- Governor Newsom signs commonsense legislation to make your life easier (Sept 28, 2026) Supports: AB 1609 (customer service chatbots) listed as signed; 15-minute connection to a human and chatbot disclosure described.
- AB 1609 (status), California Legislative Information Supports: Vote counts; approval and Chapter 733 on Sept 28, 2026.
- AB 1609 (text), California Legislative Information Supports: Definitions, duties, timing, penalties, exemptions.
- 2026 legislative calendar, California State Senate (official) Supports: Non-urgency statutes take effect Jan. 1 (Cal. Const. art. IV, sec. 8(c)); Aug 31, 2026 last day to pass bills; Sept 30 signing deadline.