News Oregon SB 1546 AI Companion Law 2026

Oregon SB 1546 (the AI Companion Safety Act)<ref name="olis">Oregon Legislative Information, SB 1546 Overview</ref> is an Oregon state law signed by Governor Tina Kotek on March 31, 2026, that establishes comprehensive regulation of AI companion systems.<ref name="transparency">Transparency Coalition, Oregon Lawmakers Pass Major Chatbot Bill</ref><ref name="bakerbotts">Baker Botts, Oregon SB 1546: The First Chatbot Law With Real Teeth</ref> The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.<ref name="bakerbotts" />

Overview

Oregon SB 1546 is the first state law regulating AI "companions" — AI systems designed to simulate sustained human-like platonic, intimate, romantic, or companionship relationships by retaining contextual information and personalizing interactions.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="millernash">Miller Nash, Oregon's New AI Companion Law: What You Need To Know</ref> It passed both chambers on March 5, 2026, with near-unanimous support (28-2 in the Senate) and no public opposition testimony.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="troutman">Troutman Pepper, Oregon Legislature Passes Bill Regulating Consumer-Facing Interactive AI With Private Right of Action</ref>

Key Provisions

Disclosure Requirements

Operators must clearly and conspicuously disclose that the service is AI-powered if a reasonable person might believe they are interacting with a human.<ref name="millernash" /><ref name="olis" />

Safety Requirements

All AI companion operators must:

Detect suicidal ideation or self-harm in user communications
Interrupt conversations when risk is detected
Provide crisis referrals (e.g., suicide prevention hotlines)<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="troutman" />

Minor Protections

When operators have reason to believe a user is under 18:

Provide hourly reminders to take breaks and that the companion is AI (no misrepresenting as human)
Avoid sexually explicit content or techniques that foster emotional dependency<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="transparency" />

Transparency and Reporting

Operators must file annual reports publicly online in Oregon, disclosing usage data and safety metrics.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="millernash" />

Enforcement

Notably, SB 1546 includes a private right of action with $1,000 statutory damages per violation, making it the first chatbot regulation law to allow individual lawsuits.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="troutman" />

Relationship to Other Laws

Oregon SB 1546 builds on California's SB 243 but adds mandatory crisis response interruptions and minor-specific protections, establishing a consumer protection and public health framework distinct from other state chatbot laws.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="millernash" />

Significance

Oregon SB 1546 is significant because it:

Is the first AI companion law to include a private right of action
Establishes mandatory crisis detection and intervention requirements
Creates specific protections for minors interacting with AI companions
Requires public transparency reporting from AI companion operators
Takes effect January 1, 2027

References