View source for News Idaho S 1297 Conversational AI Safety Act 2026

'''Idaho Senate Bill 1297''' (the '''Conversational AI Safety Act''')<ref name="legiscan">[https://legiscan.com/ID/bill/S1297/2026 LegiScan, Idaho S 1297 (2026)]</ref> is an Idaho state law signed on '''April 1, 2026''', that establishes a regulatory framework for "conversational AI services" — AI software, web interfaces, or programs accessible to the public that primarily simulate human conversation via text, visuals, or audio.<ref name="idahofreedom">[https://idahofreedom.org/senate-bill-1297-conversational-ai-safety-act/ Idaho Freedom, Senate Bill 1297: Conversational AI Safety Act]</ref><ref name="fastdemocracy">[https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/id/2026/bills/IDB00008743/ FastDemocracy, Idaho S 1297]</ref> The law adds Chapter 21 to Title 48 of the Idaho Code.<ref name="idahofreedom" />

== Overview ==

Idaho S 1297 is one of several state "chatbot safety" laws enacted in early 2026, alongside similar legislation in Oregon (SB 1546), Tennessee (SB 1700), and Nebraska (LB 1185). It addresses consumer protection and public health concerns related to AI systems that simulate human conversation.<ref name="troutman">[https://www.troutmanprivacy.com/2026/04/proposed-state-ai-law-update-april-6-2026/ Troutman Pepper, Proposed State AI Law Update — April 6, 2026]</ref>

== Key Provisions ==

=== Disclosure Requirements ===
Operators must '''clearly and conspicuously disclose''' that the service is AI if reasonable users might believe they are interacting with a human.<ref name="idahofreedom" />

=== Mental Health Protections ===
* Mandated protocols for responding to user prompts about suicidal ideation, including referring users to crisis services like suicide hotlines<ref name="idahofreedom" />
* '''Prohibits''' representations that the AI provides professional mental or behavioral health care<ref name="idahofreedom" />

=== Minor Protections ===
For users under 18 (with additional rules for under 13):
* Persistent visible disclaimers that the service is AI
* Session-start notices every three hours
* Privacy tools and parental controls
* Note: Age verification methods are not specified in the statute<ref name="idahofreedom" />

=== Enforcement ===
Enforcement is through the '''Idaho Attorney General''':
* Civil penalties up to '''$1,000 per violation''' (capped at $500,000 per operator)
* Alternatively, actual damages
* '''No private right of action'''<ref name="idahofreedom" />

== Significance ==

Idaho S 1297 is notable for:
* Being among the first wave of state chatbot safety laws in 2026
* Including specific mental health crisis response mandates
* Lacking a private right of action (unlike Oregon SB 1546)
* Establishing age-differentiated requirements for minors (under 13 vs. under 18)

== See Also ==

* [[News Nebraska-LB-1185-Conversational-AI-Safety-Act-2026|Nebraska Enacts Conversational AI Safety Act]]
* [[News Oregon-SB-1546-AI-Companion-Law-2026|Oregon Signs AI Companion Safety Act]]
* [[News Tennessee-SB-1700-CHAT-Act-2026|Tennessee House Passes CHAT Act]]
* [[News Nevada-SB-1700-CHAT-Act-Passed-April-2026|Nevada Passes CHAT Act]]

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:State Legislation]]
[[Category:Chatbot Regulation]]
[[Category:Child Safety]]
[[Category:Healthcare AI]]
[[Category:Data Privacy]]
[[Category:Idaho]]