Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
From Jan 1, 2027 if enacted: operators of AI companions in Illinois would need a protocol to detect and respond to suicidal ideation and self-harm, tell users at the start and every 3 hours that they are talking to an automated system, and block harmful-to-minors content for users known to be minors. Violations would be unlawful practices under the Consumer Fraud Act.
Who it would cover
Operators that make an AI companion (a product designed to simulate a sustained human-like relationship through remembered history, unprompted emotional questions and ongoing personal dialogue) available to users in Illinois. Excludes customer-service and business bots, limited video-game or entertainment bots, voice-assistant devices, narrow school learning tools and navigation bots; app stores, operating systems and search engines that only provide access are not operators.
What it would require
| AI disclosure | Operator must give a clear and conspicuous notice, verbal or written and in the user's language, that the user is communicating with an automated system and not a human.When: At the beginning of the interaction and at least every 3 hours during continued interactionSec. 10(b) |
|---|---|
| Minors | For a user the operator knows to be a minor (or if the companion is directed to minors), the operator must use reasonable measures to stop the companion from generating material harmful to minors or directly telling the minor to engage in conduct harmful to minors. Knowledge of age can come from information the operator already has; the bill does not require collecting new age data.Sec. 15(a)-(b) |
| Crisis protocol | Operator may not make an AI companion available without a protocol to detect and address suicidal ideation or self-harm expressions: reasonable detection methods, a notification referring the user to crisis services such as 988 or a crisis text line, and reasonable measures to prevent content encouraging or describing how to commit self-harm.Sec. 10(a)(1)-(3) |
| Reporting | Operator must publicly post on its website a general description of the protocol and the number of users who were referred to crisis services in the preceding year.Sec. 10(a) (final paragraph) |
| Design limits | Operator must use reasonable measures to prohibit and prevent the companion from claiming to be human, including when the user asks, and from producing output that contradicts the disclosure.Sec. 10(b) |
| Other duties | Amends the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (il-hb-1806) so it does not apply to a chatbot that complies with this Act and does not provide therapy or psychotherapy services. Remedies are cumulative with other civil, administrative or criminal remedies, including product liability actions.Sec. 30 and Sec. 40 |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Attorney General and State's Attorney of any countySecs. 20, 25, 45 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | Yes |
| Penalties | A violation is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and the Attorney General or State's Attorney may use all remedies, penalties and authority under that Act. A person who suffers actual damage may sue under Section 10a of that Act. Civil penalties are split with the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund (25% before Jan 1, 2032; 50% after). |
Key dates
- Proposed: whole Act, if enacted as passed by the Senate
Related laws
- Illinois HB 1806Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources ActIn effect since Aug. 1, 2025
Sources
- Bill Status of SB0316, Illinois General Assembly Supports: Senate passage 57-0 on 5/21/2026; House Rules re-referral 5/31/2026; synopsis of amendments.
- SB0316 Engrossed full text, Illinois General Assembly Supports: all provisions, effective date (Sec. 99).
- House Schedules, 104th General Assembly Supports: veto session scheduled November-December 2026.