Digital Readiness · AI Companions

Where the law has caught up — and where it hasn't.

Every U.S. state, mapped against the topics moving fastest at the legislature. Click any state for the law and where enforcement actually stands.

AI Companions

Washington

Specific rule in effect.Trending toward more guardrails.

Takes effect 2027-01-01 · 1 January 2027

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Not yet effective. The rule has been adopted but its effective date has not arrived.

Sources

Why this status

Washington enacted HB 2225 (companion to SB 5984) in March 2026 as Chapter 168, 2026 Laws, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that AI companion chatbot operators implement and publicly disclose protocols to detect and respond to user expressions of self-harm or suicidal ideation including referrals to crisis resources, requires filters for sexually explicit content for minors, prohibits manipulative engagement techniques targeting minors, and requires transparent disclosure that users are interacting with AI not humans. Enforceable under the state Consumer Protection Act. SB 5984 was introduced by request of Governor Ferguson.

What this means

Rooted Reality has source URLs on file for this state and topic; the parent-facing posture is pending the next monthly review.

How this was scored →

Public-source posture estimateNot legal adviceMap regenerated2026-05-16 · 16 May 2026