State legislatures moved faster than Congress on chatbots, baby food and hair relaxers in 2025 and 2026. The statutes they passed split on one question that decides their value to a plaintiff: who holds the claim. Washington and California gave it to the injured user. New York and Georgia gave it to the attorney general alone.
The split matters in pleading. A statute with a private right of action is a count. A statute the state alone enforces is a standard of care that a negligence count can borrow, where the forum allows negligence per se. A shield statute is an affirmative defense waiting in the answer.
The stage and the last move come from each legislature’s record through Open States. The read on each statute is ours. For federal bills, see the Congress Tracker. For the same statutes written for injured readers, see Lawsuit Informer’s state board.
12 enacted and 3 pending across 9 states. 3 give an injured person a claim. 2 moved in the last 30 days.
Latest moves
- State enforcesNew York's governor signed S 9051. Bars operators from offering minors an AI companion with any of 12 listed features. The attorney general enforces it at up to $25,000 per violation. The signed text dropped the private right of action in the January draft.
- Private claimA New Jersey Assembly committee reported A 5607. Would define a chatbot as a product, make the provider strictly liable for injuries it causes, give injured people a claim and limit use of chat logs. Drawn from the EPIC, CFA and Fairplay model bill.
- Enforcement unreadThe Pennsylvania House passed HB 507. Would have the state test each batch of baby food made in Pennsylvania and put results on the label. Caps: arsenic 10 ppb, lead and cadmium 5 ppb, mercury 2 ppb.
- Enforcement unreadCalifornia's governor signed SB 867. Bars making or selling a toy with a built-in companion chatbot in California until January 1, 2031.
- Private claimCalifornia's governor signed SB 1119. Sets child-safety duties for companion chatbot operators, a crisis protocol among them. A child who suffers actual harm from a violation can sue the operator. Most duties start July 1, 2027.
- Enforcement unreadCalifornia lawmakers sent SB 867 to the governor. Bars making or selling a toy with a built-in companion chatbot in California until January 1, 2031.
- Private claimCalifornia lawmakers sent SB 1119 to the governor. Sets child-safety duties for companion chatbot operators, a crisis protocol among them. A child who suffers actual harm from a violation can sue the operator. Most duties start July 1, 2027.
- Enforcement unreadThe California Senate agreed to the other chamber's changes to SB 867. Bars making or selling a toy with a built-in companion chatbot in California until January 1, 2031.
- Private claimThe California Senate agreed to the other chamber's changes to SB 1119. Sets child-safety duties for companion chatbot operators, a crisis protocol among them. A child who suffers actual harm from a violation can sue the operator. Most duties start July 1, 2027.
- Enforcement unreadA California Assembly committee reported SB 867. Bars making or selling a toy with a built-in companion chatbot in California until January 1, 2031.
Statutes by who can sue
An injured person can sue3 statutes
The statute, or the consumer protection act it plugs into, gives an injured person a claim.
California Adam's Law (SB 1119)
Enacted CA SB 1119California · AI chatbot liability
Sets child-safety duties for companion chatbot operators, a crisis protocol among them. A child who suffers actual harm from a violation can sue the operator. Most duties start July 1, 2027.
- Takes effect
- January 1, 2027
- Last move
- Approved by the Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Approved by the Governor
- Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 190, Statutes of 2026
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m
- Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 69. Noes 4. Page 7037.) Ordered to the Senate
- In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending
- Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling
- From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (August 13)
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR
- From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P
CA SB 1119 on Open StatesThe Inventory Nobody Knows How to Price: Inside the AI Wrongful Death Docket
Washington AI companion chatbot law (HB 2225)
Enacted WA HB 2225Washington · AI chatbot liability
Requires disclosure that the chatbot is a machine, safeguards for minors and a self-harm protocol. A violation is an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection Act, which carries a private claim.
- Takes effect
- January 1, 2027
- Last move
- Governor signed
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Governor signed
- Chapter 168, 2026 Laws
- Effective date 1/1/2027
- Speaker signed
- President signed
- Delivered to Governor
- House concurred in Senate amendments
- Passed final passage; yeas, 74; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 3
- Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1
- Passed to Rules Committee for second reading
WA HB 2225 on Open StatesThe Inventory Nobody Knows How to Price: Inside the AI Wrongful Death Docket
New Jersey chatbot liability bill (A 5607)
Reported MOVED NJ A 5607New Jersey · AI chatbot liability
Would define a chatbot as a product, make the provider strictly liable for injuries it causes, give injured people a claim and limit use of chat logs. Drawn from the EPIC, CFA and Fairplay model bill.
- Last move
- Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
- Introduced
NJ A 5607 on Open StatesThe Inventory Nobody Knows How to Price: Inside the AI Wrongful Death Docket
The state enforces5 statutes
The attorney general or an agency enforces these. No private right of action is confirmed in any of them.
New York AI companion law for minors (S 9051-B)
Enacted MOVED NY S 9051New York · AI chatbot liability
Bars operators from offering minors an AI companion with any of 12 listed features. The attorney general enforces it at up to $25,000 per violation. The signed text dropped the private right of action in the January draft.
- Takes effect
- January 1, 2027
- Last move
- SIGNED CHAP.368
- Introduced
Key moves (5)
- DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
- SIGNED CHAP.368
- PASSED ASSEMBLY
- PASSED SENATE
- REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
Georgia conversational AI safety law (SB 540)
Enacted GA SB 540Georgia · AI chatbot liability
Requires AI disclosure, a block on sexually explicit exchanges and simulated romance with minors, and a self-harm protocol. Enforcement belongs to the attorney general alone.
- Takes effect
- July 1, 2027
- Last move
- Senate Date Signed by Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (8)
- Senate Date Signed by Governor
- Act 518
- Senate Sent to Governor
- Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Idaho Conversational AI Safety Act (S 1297)
Enacted ID S 1297Idaho · AI chatbot liability
Requires AI disclosure and protections for minors. Published summaries say the attorney general enforces it and the act creates no private right of action.
- Takes effect
- July 1, 2027
- Last move
- Signed by Governor on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 249 Effective: 07/01/2027
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Signed by Governor on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 249 Effective: 07/01/2027
- Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
- Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
- Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
- Reported delivered to Governor at 2 p.m. on 03/30/26
- Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
- Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
- Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 54-12-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shepherd, Shirts, Tanner(14), Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Cayler, Furniss, Garner, Hawkins, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Rasor, Scott, Tanner(13), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Fuhriman, Haws, Skaug, Vander WoudeFloor Sponsor - Crane(12)Title apvd - to Senate
- Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 21-12-2AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lakey, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Semmelroth, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – Adams, GallowayFloor Sponsor - ToewsTitle apvd - to House
- Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
New York hair relaxer warning label law (A 1797)
Enacted NY A 1797New York · Hair relaxer
Requires a warning label on any hair relaxer sold in New York that contains a carcinogen or a reproductive toxicant. The attorney general enforces it. The label duty starts 18 months after the November 21, 2025 signing.
- Last move
- SIGNED CHAP.508
- Introduced
Key moves (6)
- SIGNED CHAP.508
- DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
- PASSED SENATE
- PASSED ASSEMBLY
- REPORTED
- REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES
California C.U.R.L. Act (SB 236)
Enacted CA SB 236California · Hair relaxer
Bars making or selling hair relaxers that contain listed chemicals, formaldehyde among them. The Department of Toxic Substances Control sets test methods, registers makers and enforces the ban.
- Last move
- Approved by the Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Approved by the Governor
- Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 598, Statutes of 2025
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m
- Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2901.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling
- Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2997.) Ordered to the Senate
- In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending
- From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 29)
- From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 15)
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on JUD
- From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M
Liability shields1 statute
These narrow or bar a claim that plaintiffs plead today.
Georgia pesticide failure-to-warn shield (SB 144)
Enacted GA SB 144Georgia · Roundup and pesticide labeling
Bars failure-to-warn liability in Georgia for a pesticide whose label carries the warnings EPA requires. Georgia followed North Dakota. The AP reported that it does not reach cases already filed.
- Last move
- Senate Date Signed by Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (7)
- Senate Date Signed by Governor
- Act 94
- Senate Sent to Governor
- House Committee Favorably Reported
- House Passed/Adopted
- Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Enforcement not yet read6 statutes
We have the duties in these and have not read the enforcement section of the enrolled text. Each moves to a group above once we have.
California AI toy moratorium (SB 867)
Enacted CA SB 867California · AI chatbot liability
Bars making or selling a toy with a built-in companion chatbot in California until January 1, 2031.
- Last move
- Approved by the Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Approved by the Governor
- Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 189, Statutes of 2026
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m
- Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 6981.) Ordered to the Senate
- In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending
- Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling
- From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13)
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR
- Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 4525.) Ordered to the Assembly
- From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4254.) (May 14)
Rhode Island AI companion models law (HB 7350)
Enacted RI HB 7350Rhode Island · AI chatbot liability
Requires AI companion tools to disclose what they are and to keep a protocol for users who talk about suicide or harming others. The Senate twin is S 2195.
- Takes effect
- January 1, 2027
- Last move
- 06/22/2026 Signed by Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (6)
- 06/22/2026 Signed by Governor
- 06/18/2026 Transmitted to Governor
- 06/10/2026 Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
- 06/08/2026 House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
- 06/04/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- 04/08/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
California social media warning label law (AB 56)
Enacted CA AB 56California · Kids online safety
Requires platforms to show users under 18 a mental health warning at first use each day, again after three hours and every hour after that.
- Takes effect
- January 1, 2027
- Last move
- Approved by the Governor
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Approved by the Governor
- Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 671, Statutes of 2025
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m
- In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending
- Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 59. Noes 7. Page 3368.)
- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 5. Page 2925.)
- From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29)
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR
- From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH
- From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 1)
Virginia Baby Food Protection Act (HB 1844)
Enacted VA HB 1844Virginia · Baby food heavy metals
Bars the sale of baby food that exceeds FDA limits for toxic heavy metals. Makers must test each product monthly, post the results and put a scannable code on the label.
- In force since
- January 1, 2026
- Last move
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 693 (Effective 01/01/26)
- Introduced
Key moves (10)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 693 (Effective 01/01/26)
- Passed by for the day (47-Y 46-N)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 2, 2025
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1844ER)
- Signed by Speaker
- Passed Senate with amendment (40-Y 0-N)
Pennsylvania Baby Food Protection Act (HB 507)
Passed House PA HB 507Pennsylvania · Baby food heavy metals
Would have the state test each batch of baby food made in Pennsylvania and put results on the label. Caps: arsenic 10 ppb, lead and cadmium 5 ppb, mercury 2 ppb.
- Last move
- Third consideration and final passage
- Introduced
Key moves (2)
- Third consideration and final passage
- Reported as amended
Pennsylvania PFAS pesticide ban (HB 2883)
In committee PA HB 2883Pennsylvania · PFAS and AFFF
Would bar the sale and use of pesticides that contain PFAS when safer alternatives are available.
- Introduced
Method. Hill Wire polls Open States for each bill three times a day. This page is rebuilt from that record and changes only when a stage or a move changes. The tracker lists statutes we have read, so a state missing here may still have one on the subject. Corrections go to editor@lawsuitintelligencer.com.