--- title: "United States – California — Safety & Incident Reporting | Global AI Monitor" canonical: https://artificial-intelligence.gi/jurisdictions/united-states-california/safety-and-incident-reporting/ source_html: /jurisdictions/united-states-california/safety-and-incident-reporting/index.html description: "United States – California — Safety & Incident Reporting: 08 Safety & Incident Reporting Active ▾ # AB 1988 - Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses (no enactment evidenced) (Draft, no legal force): Companion-chatbot crisis-pause" generated_at: 2026-10-25T22:24:54Z content_sha256: 9ba5fe3f26bf56ee6f2b32a32653b6999a50be1f5829399a4db7661f1ae6a202 generator: "fe-fleet/md-twin@1.0" --- # United States – California — Safety & Incident Reporting | Global AI Monitor ### 08Safety & Incident ReportingActive▾# AB 1988 - Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses (no enactment evidenced) (Draft, no legal force): Companion-chatbot crisis-pause bill that passed the Assembly 73-0 on 2026-05-21; its final Senate committee hearing on 2026-06-26 was cancelled at the author's request and no later action is recorded. 6 instruments · 7 obligations · 13 claims · Next: 16 Nov 2026 (GovOps/Cal OES recommendations on frontier AI safety amendments due to Governor) 6 instruments (6 current) · 7 obligations · 13 claims · 6 milestones Instruments - AB 1988 - Companion chatbots: crisis interruption pauses (no enactment evidenced) Draft, no legal forceCompanion-chatbot crisis-pause bill that passed the Assembly 73-0 on 2026-05-21; its final Senate committee hearing on 2026-06-26 was cancelled at the author's request and no later action is recorded.Authority: California State Legislature · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1988) - Executive Order 14409 - Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security Adopted 2026-06-02; entry into force not recordedFederal executive order directing agencies to improve cyber defence, create a voluntary frontier-model deployment framework built on a classified cyber benchmark, and protect against criminal actors; states it does not authorise mandatory licensing or preclearance. It contains no text addressing state AI laws.Binding · Authority: The White House (President) · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/) - Executive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations In force since 2026-09-18Directs the Government Operations Agency to accelerate SB 813 and AB 1405 implementation (May 1, 2027 and December 1, 2027) and, with Cal OES, to recommend stronger frontier AI safeguards by November 16, 2026.Binding · Authority: California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) - SB 243 - Companion chatbots In force since 2026-01-01Requires companion chatbot operators to disclose AI status, maintain a suicide and self-harm protocol, add protections for known minors and report annually to the Office of Suicide Prevention from July 1, 2027; private right of action.Binding · Authority: California State Legislature · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB243) - SB 300 - Companion chatbots (inactive file 2026) Draft, no legal forceBill amending Business and Professions Code section 22602 on companion chatbots; passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on 2026-08-13 and was ordered to the inactive file on 2026-08-30.Authority: California State Legislature · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB300) - Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 53) In force since 2026-01-01Requires large frontier developers to publish and follow a frontier AI framework, publish transparency reports, and report critical safety incidents to Cal OES, with Attorney General civil penalties up to $1,000,000 per violation.Binding · Authority: California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=8.&title=&part=&chapter=25.1.&article=) Obligations - Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757.13(c)Frontier developers must report critical safety incidents to Cal OES within 15 days of discovery, and within 24 hours to an appropriate authority where there is an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury.incident reporting · Applies to: provider · Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 53) - Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757.12(d)Large frontier developers must transmit to Cal OES a summary of catastrophic-risk assessments of internal model use every three months or on another schedule agreed in writing.documentation · Applies to: provider · Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 53) - Bus. & Prof. Code § 22603(a)Beginning July 1, 2027, operators must report annually to the Office of Suicide Prevention the number of crisis referral notifications and their detection and response protocols.incident reporting · Applies to: provider · SB 243 - Companion chatbots - Order ¶ 1GovOps must complete Government Code section 8898.1 requirements and post IVO application requirements, procedures and criteria no later than May 1, 2027.authorisation · Applies to: other · Executive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations - Order ¶ 2GovOps must complete Government Code section 11549.82(a) requirements and begin the actions required by subdivision (b) no later than December 1, 2027.registration · Applies to: other · Executive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations - Order ¶ 3GovOps, with Cal OES, must submit recommendations on embedding IVOs onsite, verified frameworks, kill-switch requirements and incident definitions no later than November 16, 2026.other · Applies to: other · Executive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations - EO 14409 Sec. 3(a)Within 60 days of the order, Treasury, War (through NSA) and Homeland Security (through CISA), in consultation with White House and Commerce officials, must develop and maintain a classified benchmarking process to assess AI models' advanced cyber capabilities and set the threshold for designating a covered frontier model; the section creates no mandatory licensing requirement.risk management · Applies to: other · Executive Order 14409 - Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security Milestones - 16 Nov 2026GovOps/Cal OES recommendations on frontier AI safety amendments due to Governor UpcomingExecutive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations - 1 Jan 2027Department of Technology first annual recommendations on frontier definitions due UpcomingTransparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 53) - 1 May 2027GovOps completes Gov. Code section 8898.1 requirements (IVO application requirements and criteria) UpcomingExecutive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations - 1 Jul 2027First annual SB 243 reports to Office of Suicide Prevention begin UpcomingSB 243 - Companion chatbots - 1 Jul 2027Operators begin annual reports to the Office of Suicide Prevention UpcomingSB 243 - Companion chatbots - 1 Dec 2027GovOps completes Gov. Code section 11549.82(a) requirements (AI Auditor Registry) UpcomingExecutive Order N-9-26 - AI oversight, independent verification and kill-switch recommendations Claims and evidence (13) - Frontier developers must report critical safety incidents to Cal OES within 15 days of discovery, or within 24 hours to an appropriate authority where there is imminent risk of death or serious physical injury.Confidence: Probable · As of 1 Jan 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Div. 8 Ch. 25.1 (Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, SB 53) - codified text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=8.&title=&part=&chapter=25.1.&article=) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757.13(c)(1)a frontier developer shall report any critical safety incident pertaining to one or more of its frontier models to the Office of Emergency Services within 15 days of discovering the critical safety incident. - Caroline Thomas Jacobs is listed as Cal OES Director.Confidence: Probable · evidencedEvidence and sources[Cal OES - Office of the Director](https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Office of the Director page### Caroline Thomas Jacobs Director ### Vacant Chief Deputy Director ### Ian Bastek Chief Deputy Director - The Governor signed Executive Order N-9-26 on September 18, 2026.Confidence: Probable · As of 18 Sep 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Signature blockIN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 18th day of September 2026. - [Governor Newsom issues executive order on independent oversight and an AI kill switch (2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/18/governor-newsom-issues-executive-order-to-accelerate-independent-oversight-and-advance-the-creation-of-an-ai-kill-switch/) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Press release leadGovernor Newsom today issued an executive order directing actions to address the dangers of recent AI incidents. - Binding on executive agencies; creates no enforceable private rights.Confidence: Probable · As of 18 Sep 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Order ¶ 1No later than May 1, 2027, the Government Operations Agency shall complete the requirements of Section 8898.1 of the Government Code and develop application requirements, procedures, and criteria for independent verification organizations and publicly post them, as required by law. - [Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Closing paragraphThis Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity - GovOps must complete Gov. Code section 8898.1 requirements by May 1, 2027 and section 11549.82(a) requirements by December 1, 2027, and submit frontier AI safety amendment recommendations by November 16, 2026.Confidence: Probable · As of 18 Sep 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Order ¶ 1No later than May 1, 2027, the Government Operations Agency shall complete the requirements of Section 8898.1 of the Government Code and develop application requirements, procedures, and criteria for independent verification organizations and publicly post them, as required by law. - [Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Order ¶ 2No later than December 1, 2027, the Government Operations Agency shall complete the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 11549.82 of the Government Code - [Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Order ¶ 3shall, no later than November 16, 2026, submit to my office recommendations, developed in consultation with national experts, addressing the technical feasibility and potential efficacy of amendments to existing state laws regarding AI safety and security - EO N-9-26 signed 2026-09-18.Confidence: Probable · As of 18 Sep 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Executive Order N-9-26 (signed 2026-09-18)](https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Signature blockIN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 18th day of September 2026. - EO 14409 sets up designation of covered frontier models and disclaims any mandatory licensing requirement.Confidence: Probable · As of 2 Jun 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Executive Order 14409 - Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security (2026-06-02)](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · EO 14409 Sec. 3(a)develop and maintain a classified benchmarking process to assess the advanced cyber capabilities of AI models and determine the threshold at which an AI model should be designated a "covered frontier model" for the purposes of this order - [Executive Order 14409 - Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security (2026-06-02)](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · EO 14409 Sec. 3(c)Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the creation of a mandatory governmental licensing, preclearance, or permitting requirement for the development, publication, release, or distribution of new AI models, including frontier models. - [Executive Order 14409 - Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security (2026-06-02)](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · EO 14409 Sec. 3Sec. 3. Secure Frontier Model Deployment. Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, through the Director of NSA, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of CISA - AB 1988, a California companion-chatbot crisis-interruption-pause bill, was introduced in the 2025-2026 session but did not become law.Confidence: Probable · As of 26 Jun 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[AB 1988 bill history](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1988) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill history, latest action|06/26/26|In committee: Set, final hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.| - AB 1988 carries no legal force because it was not enacted into law.Confidence: Probable · As of 26 Jun 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[AB 1988 bill history](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1988) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill history, latest action|06/26/26|In committee: Set, final hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.| - AB 1988's final Senate committee hearing was cancelled at the author's request on 26 June 2026, and no later action is recorded.Confidence: Probable · As of 26 Jun 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[AB 1988 bill history](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1988) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill history, latest action|06/26/26|In committee: Set, final hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.| - SB 300, a California companion-chatbot bill amending Business and Professions Code section 22602, was introduced but did not become law.Confidence: Probable · As of 30 Aug 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[SB 300 bill status](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB300) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill status, history actions|08/30/26|Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.| - SB 300 carries no legal force because it was not enacted into law.Confidence: Probable · As of 30 Aug 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[SB 300 bill status](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB300) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill status, history actions|08/30/26|Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.| - SB 300 was ordered to the inactive file on 30 August 2026, ending action on the bill for the session.Confidence: Probable · As of 30 Aug 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[SB 300 bill status](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB300) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bill status, history actions|08/30/26|Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.| Open evidence