AI Laws by State — Complete 2026 Guide
The US does not have a single federal AI law yet. Instead, each state is moving independently. This guide covers every state — which ones have laws in force, which have laws coming, and which have no AI-specific regulation at all.
What about federal AI law?
The US has no comprehensive federal AI law as of April 2026. Congress has introduced bills but none have passed. Existing federal laws (FTC Act, ADA, Title VII, FCRA, HIPAA, COPPA) all apply to AI use in their respective domains — but there is no AI-specific federal statute. States are filling the gap.
States with AI laws in effect now
Law
Colorado AI Act (SB 24-205)
Deadline / Effective
June 30, 2026
Key Requirements
Risk classification, impact assessments, transparency for high-risk AI in employment, credit, healthcare, housing
Maximum Fine
Up to $20,000 per violation
Law
CPRA ADMT + AB 2013 + SB 942
Deadline / Effective
Various: Jan 2026 (AB 2013), Aug 2026 (SB 942)
Key Requirements
AI training data transparency (AB 2013); AI content labeling (SB 942); automated decision-making opt-out (CPRA)
Maximum Fine
Up to $7,500 per intentional violation (CPRA)
Law
Texas TRAIGA (HB 149)
Deadline / Effective
January 1, 2026 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Risk classification, transparency, impact assessments for high-risk AI in consequential decisions
Maximum Fine
Up to $200,000 per violation
Law
AIVIA + Illinois AI in Hiring + BIPA
Deadline / Effective
Various — AIVIA 2020, Hiring AI 2024, BIPA 2008
Key Requirements
AIVIA: notify job applicants of video AI analysis. Hiring: explain AI factors, audit for bias. BIPA: biometric data consent.
Maximum Fine
Up to $5,000/day per BIPA violation; private right of action
Law
Utah AI Policy Act (SB 149 + HB 452)
Deadline / Effective
In effect May 2024
Key Requirements
Disclose AI interaction to users, liability for AI-generated professional advice
Maximum Fine
FTC-style enforcement by Utah AG
Law
ELVIS Act + Healthcare AI Act (SB 1580)
Deadline / Effective
ELVIS: July 2024; Healthcare: July 1, 2026
Key Requirements
ELVIS: AI voice/likeness rights. Healthcare: clinician oversight, patient notice for AI clinical decisions.
Maximum Fine
Up to $10,000 per violation (ELVIS)
Law
Maryland Healthcare AI Act (HB 820)
Deadline / Effective
October 2025 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Patient notice when AI used in clinical decisions; physician review for AI recommendations
Maximum Fine
Subject to MD health licensing enforcement
Law
NYC Local Law 144
Deadline / Effective
July 2023 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Annual third-party bias audit for automated employment decision tools; public posting of results
Maximum Fine
Up to $500/day per violation
Law
Nevada AB 406 (Mental Health AI)
Deadline / Effective
July 2025 (in effect)
Key Requirements
AI providing mental health services must disclose it is AI; emergency escalation protocols required
Maximum Fine
AG enforcement
Law
HB 143 (AI chatbot child safety)
Deadline / Effective
January 2026 (in effect)
Key Requirements
AI chatbots must disclose AI nature to minor users; suicide/self-harm protocols required
Maximum Fine
AG enforcement
Law
Digital Forgery Act (SB 649)
Deadline / Effective
In effect
Key Requirements
Criminal penalties for AI-generated deepfake intimate images
Maximum Fine
Criminal penalties
Law
Conversational AI Safety Act (S1297)
Deadline / Effective
March 31, 2026 (in effect)
Key Requirements
AI conversational systems must disclose AI nature when directly asked
Maximum Fine
AG enforcement
Law
AI Election Media Act
Deadline / Effective
Signed March 2026
Key Requirements
Disclosure labels on AI-generated political ads and election media
Maximum Fine
Civil penalties
Law
SB 41 (Deepfake pornography felony)
Deadline / Effective
July 1, 2026
Key Requirements
Creating/distributing AI-generated intimate images without consent is a felony
Maximum Fine
Criminal felony charges
Law
Montana Right to Compute Act / AI Governance
Deadline / Effective
April 17, 2025 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Protects right to use personal AI; limits government AI surveillance
Maximum Fine
State enforcement
Law
Synthetic Media Laws
Deadline / Effective
July 1, 2024 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Synthetic voice/image in elections must be labeled; intimate deepfakes prohibited
Maximum Fine
Civil and criminal penalties
Law
A3540 (Deepfakes Law)
Deadline / Effective
April 2025 (in effect)
Key Requirements
Nonconsensual deepfake intimate images prohibited; disclosure for political deepfakes
Maximum Fine
Civil and criminal penalties
States with AI laws coming soon
Law
HB 1170 AI Content Disclosure
Expected Effective Date
January 1, 2027
Key Requirements
Label AI-generated content in political communications
Law
SB 1546 AI Companion Chatbot
Expected Effective Date
January 2027
Key Requirements
Emotional support chatbots must disclose AI nature; crisis escalation protocols
Law
CTDPA AI Disclosure (PA 25-113)
Expected Effective Date
July 2026
Key Requirements
Automated decisions affecting CT residents require human review option, explanation on request
Law
HB 2311 (AI chatbot child safety)
Expected Effective Date
Pending governor signature
Key Requirements
AI chatbots must disclose to minors; restrict romantic/sexual content with minors; crisis protocols
Law
SB 540 (AI chatbot disclosure)
Expected Effective Date
Pending Gov. Kemp signature (deadline May 12, 2026)
Key Requirements
Disclose AI nature to users; child safety protocols; covers all platforms including Meta/Google
States with no AI-specific law (yet)
These states have no AI-specific legislation signed into law as of April 2026. However, federal law still applies: FTC Act (deceptive practices), Title VII and ADA (employment discrimination by AI), FCRA (AI in credit decisions), COPPA (AI and children under 13), and HIPAA (AI and medical data).
What does this mean for your business?
If you are in a no-law state
Federal law applies. Your biggest risks: using AI in hiring (Title VII), credit (FCRA), or healthcare (HIPAA). You also need to comply with the laws of any state where your customers live — if you have customers in Colorado or Texas, their state AI laws may apply to you.
If you operate in multiple states
You need to comply with the strictest law that applies to your situation. If you have customers in Colorado, the Colorado AI Act applies to how you use AI with those customers — even if your business is based in a no-law state.
If you use AI for hiring, credit, or health decisions
Illinois AIVIA, NYC Local Law 144, Colorado AI Act, Texas TRAIGA, and Maryland Healthcare AI Act all specifically target these use cases. Compliance is mandatory, not optional.
The trend is clear
2026 is the year of state AI law. 78 chatbot bills were introduced across 27 states in early 2026 alone. Even if your state has no law today, it may within 12 months. Building compliant AI practices now is significantly cheaper than retrofitting them later.
Legal disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Laws change frequently. Consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your business. Verify current law text at official state sources before relying on this guide.
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