News Nineteen States Pass AI Laws 2026

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Nineteen new AI-related bills have been signed into law across U.S. states in the first quarter of 2026, according to Plural Policy's April 2026 legislative tracker.[1] The laws cover a range of topics including chatbot regulation, healthcare AI, education, transparency, and child safety.

Notable Signed Laws

Idaho

  • S 1227: Establishes a comprehensive framework for the use of generative artificial intelligence in K-12 public education.[1]
  • S 1297: Establishes regulations for conversational AI services.[1][2]

New York

  • S 8828 (RAISE Act amendments): Signed by Governor Hochul on March 27, 2026, amending the December 2025 RAISE Act. Narrows the definition of "large frontier developer" to a $500 million revenue threshold (matching California's TFAIA), reduces penalties from $10M/$30M to $1M/$3M, and delays enforcement to January 1, 2027. See dedicated article for full details.[1][3][4]

Oregon

  • SB 1546: Establishes regulations for AI companion platforms — systems designed to simulate human-like platonic, intimate, or romantic relationships with users. The law includes a private right of action with statutory damages.[1][2]

Tennessee

  • SB 1580: Prohibits AI systems from representing themselves as qualified mental health professionals. Includes a private right of action.[2][5]

Washington

  • HB 1170: Requires large AI providers (1M+ monthly users) and government agencies to inform users when content is modified using artificial intelligence.[1]
  • HB 2225: Requires chatbot operators to provide transparency disclosures and protections for minors and against self-harm.[1]
  • SB 5105: Expands existing laws against sexually explicit depictions of minors, with a focus on AI-generated content.[1]
  • SB 5395: Increases restrictions on the use of AI in prior authorizations by health insurance carriers.[1]

Colorado

  • SB 11: Relates to search warrants served on covered platforms including social media companies and AI platforms.[1]

Context

This wave of state-level legislation comes amid an ongoing federal-state tension over AI regulation. The White House National Policy Framework for AI, released March 20, 2026, recommended preempting state AI laws, and the Commerce Department identified state AI laws as "onerous" and inconsistent with national policy.[6] Despite these federal efforts, state legislatures have continued to advance AI laws at a rapid pace.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Plural Policy, "The AI Governance Watch — April 2026: Nineteen New AI Bills Passed Into Law" (April 2026)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Troutman Pepper, "Proposed State AI Law Update — April 6, 2026"
  3. ↑ Wiley, "New York Finalizes RAISE Act for Frontier AI Models; Law Takes Effect January 1, 2027," April 2026
  4. ↑ Morrison & Foerster, "New York Amends the RAISE Act to Align More Closely with California's TFAIA," April 3, 2026
  5. ↑ Transparency Coalition, "AI Legislative Update — April 3, 2026"
  6. ↑ Holland & Knight, "White House Releases a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence" (March 2026)
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