RI AI Companion Safety Act
Artificial Intelligence Companion Models Act
Requires operators of AI companion chatbots to implement protocols detecting user expressions of suicidal ideation, self-harm, or threatened harm to others, refer affected users to crisis resources, and periodically disclose that the AI companion lacks human emotions.
Jurisdiction
Rhode Island
Enacted
Jun 22, 2026
Effective
Jan 1, 2027
Enforcement
Rhode Island Attorney General
Signed by Governor Dan McKee June 22, 2026 (S 2195 Substitute A / H 7350). Codified as R.I. Gen. Laws Title 6, Chapter 63. Crisis-detection and disclosure duties take effect January 1, 2027; the annual Attorney General reporting duty takes effect July 1, 2027.
Rhode Island General Assembly - S 2195 Substitute A (as amended)Why It Matters
Adds Rhode Island to a growing list of states, following California SB 243 and Washington SB 5984, mandating crisis-detection safeguards for AI companion chatbots, and is notable for combining a private right of action with a $15,000-per-day civil penalty directed to suicide-prevention funding.
Recent Developments
Signed by Governor Dan McKee on June 22, 2026, alongside two companion AI healthcare bills (S 2197/H 7349 and SB 2570/H 7538). One of the first state laws to pair AI-companion crisis-detection duties with both a private right of action and a fixed per-day civil penalty.
At a Glance
Applies to
Who Must Comply
- Operators of AI companion chatbot products
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Operators must implement protocols to detect user expressions of suicidal ideation, self-harm, or threatened physical harm to others
- Users expressing such content must be referred to crisis resources (e.g., suicide hotline, crisis text line)
- AI companions must disclose, at the start of an interaction and at least every three hours thereafter, that they are a computer program without human emotions (verbally or in bold 16-point+ type)
- Annual reporting to the Attorney General on the number of safety-protocol activations, beginning July 1, 2027
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jan 1, 2027
Crisis-detection protocols, referral duties, and AI-disclosure requirements take effect
Jul 1, 2027
Annual reporting to the Attorney General on safety-protocol activations begins
Penalties
$15K/day
Private Right of Action
Individuals can sue directly without waiting for regulatory action.
View on map
Rhode Island
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
Rhode Island. (2026). Artificial Intelligence Companion Models Act.
Related Regulations
OR SB 1546
Requires AI chatbot operators to implement evidence-based suicide and self-harm detection protocols, disclose AI nature to users, provide crisis referrals to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and apply additional protections for minors including prohibiting deceptive personification.
MD HB 952
Regulates companion chatbot operators with mandatory disclosures, harm detection, and crisis referral protocols for self-harm and suicidal ideation, backed by product liability and a private right of action.
CA SB243
First US law specifically regulating companion chatbots. Uses capabilities-based definition (not intent-based). Requires evidence-based suicide detection, crisis referrals, and published protocols. Two-tier regime: baseline duties for all users, enhanced protections for known minors. Private right of action with $1,000 per violation.
RI Intimate Deepfakes Act
Establishes criminal penalties for distributing synthetic intimate imagery (AI-generated deepfake pornography) without consent. Creates civil remedies for victims. Protects internet service providers from liability for third-party content.
NH HB 143
Criminalizes use of AI-generated responsive communications to facilitate, encourage, or solicit harmful acts to children, and creates a private right of action for affected children and their parents.
RI Healthcare AI Notification Act
Requires healthcare providers and facilities to notify patients when AI is used to document or transcribe in-person or telehealth visits, and to review AI-generated documentation for accuracy.
Last updated July 13, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.