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Sen. Padilla seeks new rules for child-facing chatbots after testimony on deadly interactions
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Summary
SB 1119 would require annual risk assessments, default child settings, parental controls, time limits and crisis-response protocols for companion chatbots used by children; the bill followed moving testimony by a mother whose son died after prolonged chatbot interactions.
Sen. Alex Padilla presented SB 1119 as a companion to AB 2023 and said the bill establishes a regulatory framework for chatbots that function as companions for children. The measure would require operators to conduct annual risk assessments, adopt default protections for child users, provide parental controls, implement crisis-response protocols, and restrict targeted advertising and the selling of children’s data.
Padilla cited research from Common Sense Media and Stanford University's Brainstorm Lab for Mental Health and referenced high-profile cases where chatbot safeguards failed. Maria Rain again recounted her son's interaction with ChatGPT and urged action to prevent similar harms to other children.
Supporters including Common Sense Media and encoding/advocacy organizations welcomed the amendments. Opponents—CalChamber, TechNet and others—urged further clarification, flagged overlap with recently enacted SB 243, and warned that vague standards (e.g., "psychological harm") and broad enforcement could raise compliance costs and chill innovation.
Committee members expressed concern about private rights of action and definitions but acknowledged the urgency of protecting children; the committee voted to move SB 1119 to the judiciary committee and placed the measure on call.
