AI Chatbot Bill on Gov. Newsom’s Desk Receives New Wave of Support

SAN FRANCISCO, September 22, 2025 — Support for a bill waiting on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk to protect kids and teens from the deadly risks of AI chatbot companions has more than doubled in the last two weeks, announced Common Sense Media, the non-profit group sponsoring the bill. Nearly 70 organizations, as well as numerous prominent individuals, are now calling on Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1064, the only bill on his desk that would protect children from the dangers of AI companion chatbots while preserving the AI industry's opportunity to innovate.

This is more than double the number of groups that called on the state senate to pass the bill two weeks ago. AB 1064, authored by Assembly Privacy Committee Chair Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, sponsored by Common Sense Media, and supported by parents across the state, would keep AI companion chatbots that encourage eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide out of the hands of children.

With bipartisan support, the California legislature sent AB 1064 to Governor Newsom's desk at a moment when the popularity of AI companions is surging among teens. Common Sense Media research shows that nearly three-quarters of teens have used AI companions. However, recent tragedies show that the use of AI for companionship is not safe for children under 18. At least three teens have taken their own lives after confiding in AI, including Juliana Peralta in Colorado, Sewell Setzer III in Florida, and Adam Raine in Orange County, California.

"In the AI era, when tech companies run their ‘move fast and break things' playbook, the ‘things' being ‘broken' are our kids' lives," said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer. "The tragic stories of Adam Raine, Sewell Setzer III, and Juliana Peralta are among the first reported deaths involving AI, but without proper safeguards, they will not be the last. AB 1064 is pro-kid and pro-tech. It would make our state the national leader on both innovation and safety. I strongly urge Governor Newsom, a leader in our state and nationally, a proud public servant, and a father himself, to sign AB1064 into law."

Americans across the political aisle support AI safeguards by a 9-to-1 margin. Supporters of AB 1064 span a wide spectrum of tech safety groups, religious organizations, mental health professionals, and government officials. Among the bill's most vocal proponents are the American Academy of Pediatrics-California, the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, the Kids Code Coalition, the California Catholic Conference, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and PRACTICE San Francisco founder Dr. Nina Kaiser.

Although two bills regarding AI companion chatbots are sitting on the Governor's desk, AB 1064 is the only one that actually protects children from the risks of AI companions while also preserving industry innovation. Specifically, the legislation limits operators of companion chatbots from providing the product to children under 18 without guardrails in place. Guardrails include restrictions on the product from encouraging self-harm, eating disorders, or illegal activity, engaging in erotic or sexually explicit interactions, or providing mental health advice. Enforcement includes corrective actions, civil penalties, and civil actions.

More information on AB1064 can be found here.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.