AI Law Watch

Every few weeks a US state passes another law that reaches AI products — usually without the founders it affects hearing about it. I read the statutes, the law-firm alerts, and the court dockets, and write down what each one actually changes for the people building. No legal jargon. Real deadlines, real cases, real product decisions. — Santosh Singh

74 laws on watch · 84 startup domains · updated as the law moves

Illinois · 8 August 2026

Illinois SB 315: The $3 Million Safety-Audit Rule for Frontier AI

A covered frontier-AI developer can face up to $1 million for a first violation and $3 million after that. Illinois also requires annual independent audits.

frontier — checked against sources 8 August 2026
California · 8 August 2026

California SB 243: The $1,000-Per-Violation Rule for AI Companion Chatbots

An injured user can claim at least $1,000 per violation when a companion chatbot skips California's safety duties. No California office is needed.

chatbots · kids · health — checked against sources 8 August 2026
Federal · 8 August 2026

TAKE IT DOWN Act: The 48-Hour Takedown Clock AI Platforms Cannot Miss

A valid deepfake complaint starts a 48-hour federal clock. Covered platforms that miss it may face FTC penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.

kids · image-video — checked against sources 8 August 2026
New York City · 26 July 2026

NYC Local Law 144: The Bias Audit Your Hiring AI Cannot Ship Without

If your tool screens a single NYC candidate, an independent bias audit and a public results page stopped being optional. Fines run per violation, per day, and it is your customers who will demand the audit from you.

hiring — checked against sources 26 July 2026
Tennessee · 26 July 2026

The ELVIS Act: What It Means If Your US Company Touches AI Voice or Likeness

Jail time for cloning a voice without permission, and a separate claim against anyone who builds the tool that made it possible. A Delaware or Wyoming registration does not shield you.

voice · image-video — checked against sources 26 July 2026
Connecticut · 26 July 2026

Connecticut SB 5: The New Law Every AI Founder Now Builds Against

The widest AI law any US state has passed: five product categories in one act, first deadline this October. The trap: you don't need an office in Connecticut. You just need users there.

chatbots · hiring · kids · image-video · frontier — checked against sources 26 July 2026

Building in one of these categories and not sure which laws reach you? Send me one message about what you're building and I'll name the laws you're inside — which documents they demand, and what covers you. Free, usually within a day or two.

— Santosh, StartEase Agent