California Senate Passes Common Sense Media-Backed Kids’ AI Safety Legislation on Bipartisan Basis
First-in-the-nation bill led by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan protects industry innovation and kids’ safety in the AI era, on track to go to Governor’s desk
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, 2025— In a major step forward for kids and families, the California Senate today passed first-in-the-nation legislation to address the rapid rise of AI companions and the serious risks they pose to kids and families, putting the bill on track to go to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for his review. The bill passed the state senate with bipartisan support.
Assembly Bill 1064, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and sponsored by Common Sense Media, is the only bill in the country to protect kids from the risks of AI companions while allowing industry to continue to innovate.
The bill, which addresses the risks of AI features that seek to simulate human-like relationships with kids, was approved by the Assembly earlier this year. It would strictly limit the use of AI companions for users under 18 and ensure strong enforcement for any violation of the bill. After a procedural vote in the Assembly, the bill will be sent to Governor Newsom.
At least two teens have died by suicide related to their use of AI for companionship, and numerous studies, including research by Common Sense Media, have shown that AI companion chatbots lure kids into highly sexualized situations, promote eating disorders, illegal drug use, and self harm, and fail to interrupt suicidal ideation.
Following the bill's passage, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the below statement:
"Passage of AB 1064 is a major step toward a safer future for our kids in the AI era. Common Sense Media thanks Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan for her leadership and we encourage Governor Newsom to sign the bill into law without delay.
"In our increasingly AI-powered world, parents need someone to look out for the interests of kids and families. Three in four teens use AI companions, but the research is clear: these products are not safe for kids under 18. Under this much-needed legislation, online platforms will be strictly limited on what type of companion chatbots they can deploy to children.
"AB 1064 is a model for how we can protect kids from some of the dangerous elements of AI while allowing for industry innovation at the same time. These reasonable and responsible safeguards are just one step, but a necessary step, toward an AI era that empowers those who use this new technology while reducing the dangerous, and sometimes life-threatening, risks some AI systems pose to the next generation."
Momentum has been building behind AB 1064 as reports of AI companions' dangers to kids have spread across the country. Earlier this week, Common Sense Media and more than two dozen organizations called on the state senate to pass the bill. Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday featuring two Meta whistleblowers who testified that the company suppressed research into Meta's harms to kids. Another Senate subcommittee is holding a hearing on September 16 on Meta AI, which Common Sense Media recently rated unsafe for kids.
More information on AB 1064 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.