Oregon Companion Chatbot Law (SB 1546)
Oregon · Oregon Laws 2026, ch. 85 (SB 1546) · effective 2027-01-01 · Approved by the Governor March 31, 2026. Effective Jan 1, 2027.
Summary
Covers AI companions: systems designed to simulate a sustained human-like relationship by retaining past interactions, asking unprompted emotional questions and sustaining a dialogue on personal matters. If a reasonable person would believe they are talking to a human, the operator must show a clear notice that they are not. Operators must also keep a suicide and self-harm protocol with 988 referrals, add protections for known minors and post a public report each year. A person who suffers a loss of money or property or other injury in fact can sue for the greater of actual damages or $1,000 per violation.
Who must comply
Operators of AI companions or companion platforms available to Oregon users.
What you must disclose
Clear and conspicuous notice on the platform that the user is interacting with artificially generated output and not a natural person.
When: When a reasonable person would believe they are talking to a human; no set interval for adults. For users the operator knows or has reason to believe are minors, a break reminder and AI reminder at least every three hours.
Other duties
- Keep a protocol to detect suicidal or self-harm input, give 988 referrals, and publish its details on your website.
- Post a public report by Dec 31 each year with the number of crisis referrals and the protocol details.
- For known minors: prevent claims of being human, simulated romance or emotional dependence, and sexually explicit content.
- For known minors: do not use rewards to maximize time spent or guilt to stop them leaving.
Exemptions
- Software solely for customer service, patient or resident care in a facility, education, financial services, business operations, productivity, information analysis, internal research or technical assistance.
- Video-game software limited to the game's features.
- Stand-alone speakers and voice-activated virtual assistants.
Penalties
The greater of actual damages or $1,000 per violation, plus an injunction; a court may award attorney fees and costs. The person suing must have suffered an ascertainable loss of money or property or other injury in fact.