[ GUIDE ]

State AI chatbot laws and schools (not legal advice)

California, New York, Washington and Oregon now regulate companion-style chatbots. What each law requires, whether it reaches school AI tools, and the federal bills still pending.

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Facts as of Oct 18, 2026Last reviewed Oct 19, 20263 min read

Not legal advice

This guide summarizes public rules for school leaders. It is not legal advice; ask your school's counsel before relying on it.

Four state laws schools should know

As of Oct 18, 2026. Read each law's text before relying on this summary.

Law	Status	What it requires	Fit for school AI
California SB 243	In force Jan 1, 2026; reports from July 1, 2027	AI disclosure; a published self-harm protocol with crisis referral; for known minors, a break reminder every three hours and no sexual content; $1,000 per violation in private suits	Covers AI capable of meeting a user's social needs across sessions; its exclusions do not mention education
New York General Business Law 1700 and following	In force since November 2025	For AI companions: a crisis protocol with 988 referral; notice at the start and every three hours; penalties up to $15,000 per day	A tutor that never asks unprompted emotional questions likely falls outside
Washington HB 2225	Signed Mar 24, 2026; effective Jan 1, 2027	For minors: hourly AI notice, no sexual content, no manipulative engagement; a crisis protocol covering eating disorders	Exempts narrowly tailored, curriculum-aligned school tools that do not provide open-ended conversational companionship
Oregon SB 1546 (2026)	Enrolled; effective date not confirmed	Disclosure, a crisis protocol, statements for likely minors, an annual report, private suits	Similar to the others

State laws on companion-style chatbots

Do they cover school AI?

It depends on the product. California's SB 243 covers AI capable of meeting a user's social needs across sessions, and its exclusions do not mention education, so open chat with memory may qualify. Washington's law exempts narrowly tailored, curriculum-aligned school tools that do not offer open-ended conversational companionship; class-bound chat may fit, while open personal chat likely does not. New York's law targets AI companions that keep memory, ask unprompted emotional questions and hold ongoing personal dialogue.

Federal bills, not yet law

Congress had enacted no kids' AI or privacy law as of August 2026 sources. The Senate passed COPPA 2.0 by unanimous consent on Mar 5, 2026; the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the GUARD Act on Apr 30, 2026; the House passed the KIDS Act on June 29, 2026; and on Aug 5, 2026 the Senate Commerce Committee advanced KOSA, the Youth AI Privacy Act and the CHATBOT Act. Every bill points the same way: shorter retention of minors' chats, no ads to minors, parental controls, AI disclosure and crisis protocols.

A design checklist for school AI

Disclose that the user is talking to an AI.
Keep a crisis protocol that names 988 and routes to a person the school chooses, and publish it.
No sexual content for minors, and no manipulative engagement: no excessive praise, urging to return, discouraging breaks or encouraging secrecy from parents.
No unprompted emotional questions; keep the product about schoolwork.
Break reminders where a law requires them.

Why Nexus is a study assistant

These laws are one reason we describe Nexus as a study assistant, never a companion. Nexus is built for schoolwork.

In the web and mobile apps, Nexus describes itself as a study assistant.

[ FAQ ]

Questions and answers

What is California SB 243?

A California law, in force since Jan 1, 2026, on companion chatbots. It requires AI disclosure and a published self-harm protocol with crisis referral, and adds protections for known minors.

Do companion chatbot laws apply to school AI tools?

Sometimes. California's SB 243 does not exclude education; Washington's HB 2225 exempts narrowly tailored, curriculum-aligned school tools. Ask counsel about your product's design.

Is there a federal law on AI chatbots and kids?

Not as of August 2026 sources. Several bills advanced in 2026, including COPPA 2.0, the GUARD Act, the KIDS Act and KOSA, but none was enacted.

What should a school AI do to stay clear of companion rules?

Stay about schoolwork, disclose that it is an AI, avoid unprompted emotional questions and manipulative engagement, and keep a published crisis protocol.

[ SOURCES ]