Washington AI Companion Chatbot Act (HB 2225)

Summary

Operators of AI companion chatbots — natural-language systems that give adaptive human-like responses and can sustain a relationship across interactions — must clearly and conspicuously disclose that the chatbot is AI at least every three hours during continued use (every hour for minors or minor-directed bots), publish crisis-response protocols, and avoid emotionally harmful content. Violations are Consumer Protection Act violations with a private right of action.

Who must comply

Operators of companion-style chatbots available to Washington users.

What you must disclose

Clear and conspicuous disclosure that the companion chatbot is artificially generated and not human.

When: At the start and at least every three hours during continued interaction; every hour for users under 18.

Other duties

• Publish protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm.
• Restrict discussion of suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

Exemptions

• Business-oriented and customer-service bots.
• Internal/employee-facing and business-to-business uses.
• General virtual assistants, consumer-electronics interfaces, narrowly tailored educational tools, and video-game bots.

Penalties

Consumer Protection Act remedies (actual damages, treble damages up to statutory caps, attorney's fees); private right of action without fixed statutory damages.

Enforced by: Washington Attorney General and private plaintiffs.

Triggered by

Sources

• Fisher Phillips — Washington's new companion chatbot law
• Hunton — Washington enacts law regulating AI companion chatbots with private right of action

Last reviewed 2026-09-09. Not legal advice.