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Governor-backed bill would require AI chatbots to disclose identity, bar manipulative tactics for minors
Summary
SB 5984, a governor-request bill, would require operators of AI companion chatbots to disclose when a user could reasonably think they are interacting with a human, impose special protections for minors and mandate suicide/self-harm response protocols; testimony split between families and privacy advocates in favor and industry and free-speech groups urging narrower language.
The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5984, governor-request legislation that would require operators of AI 'companion' chatbots to disclose their artificial nature when a reasonable person could be misled, implement protections for minors, prohibit manipulative engagement techniques and maintain protocols for identifying and responding to suicidal ideation. Enforcement would be through Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, including a private right of action.
Alicia Kinney, committee staff, summarized the measure and said it requires operators to notify users — and to provide separate notice if the operator knows the user is a minor — prohibit sexually explicit or suggestive content when the user is a minor, ban manipulative engagement techniques designed to prolong or…
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