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Committee adopts amendment to AI companion bill, holds work on final language to 1 p.m.
Summary
The committee adopted a -1 amendment to SB 1546 that adjusts reporting and minor safeguards for AI companion platforms, heard technical testimony on IP‑based geolocation, and agreed to hold the work session until 1 p.m. to finalize a late wording change on referrals for people in crisis.
The Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health opened a work session on SB 1546, a bill that would impose requirements on AI companion platform operators that interact with users experiencing suicidal or self‑harm ideation and would add additional protections for minors.
Staff explained that the -1 amendment removes a requirement for operators to report to the Oregon Health Authority and clarifies referral types and minor‑specific protections. Witness Jay Jesima of the Transparency Coalition explained that operators commonly use IP‑based methods to implement state‑specific rules and described that IP addresses are a routine technical tool for geolocation; he told the committee that such measures are feasible and commonly used across online services.
Committee members asked technical and policy questions, including whether IP‑based location can be disabled by users and whether there is federal legislation underway; Jesima said IP addresses cannot be turned off but users can attempt to mask location, and that federal action remains limited. After discussion, Senator Anderson moved to adopt the -1 amendment dated Feb. 11, 2026; the clerk called the roll and the motion passed.
Chair Reynolds and members noted a late wording change they wanted to make concerning how operators refer people in crisis to services and agreed to hold over the work session until 1:00 p.m. so staff and legislative counsel could finalize technical language. The committee suspended the rules to allow reconsideration and carry the matter into the afternoon session.
No final floor referral was recorded in this session; the committee carried over the work session on SB 1546 to continue drafting and technical review.
