OLYMPIA – Children in Washington will have greater protections from chatbots powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) thanks to HB 2225. This Governor request bill, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Callan (D-Issaquah), requires operators of AI companion chatbots to issue certain notifications and implement precautions for minors. 

“Children have been harmed and even died because of their chatbot companions,” said Rep. Callan. “This legislation is critical to preventing these tragedies and keeping our children safer online with a better chance to flourish in Washington.”  

The bill also mandates operators of AI companion chatbots to implement protocols for detecting and addressing expressions of harm if they do come up while the program is being used.  

The bill passed the House with a vote of 69 to 28 and now moves onto the Senate for consideration.