United States · Washington
Washington AI laws: what's in force, and what's coming
Washington has layered targeted AI laws: election synthetic-media disclosure (2023), fabricated intimate images (2024), forged digital likenesses (2025, expanded 2026), and two 2026 statutes on companion chatbots (from January 1, 2027) and AI content provenance plus government AI disclosure (from February 1, 2027). A legislative AI Task Force run by the Attorney General advises on further legislation, and a 2024 executive order governs state agencies' generative AI use.
01 / State law
Washington's AI laws
| Law | Citation | Status | Effective | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI companion chatbots | ESHB 2225 (2026), Laws 2026, ch. 168 | Enacted, effective later | 1 Jan 2027 | Requires operators to disclose that companion chatbots are not human, add protections for minors, and run published suicide and self-harm protocols; violations are Consumer Protection Act violations. |
| AI content provenance and government AI disclosure | E2SHB 1170 (2026), Laws 2026, ch. 167 | Enacted, effective later | 1 Feb 2027 | Requires generative AI providers with over 1 million monthly users to embed tamper-resistant provenance data in AI-made audio, images and video, and requires agencies to disclose consumer-facing AI interactions. |
| Synthetic media in election campaigns | SB 5152 (2023), Laws 2023, ch. 360 | In force | 23 Jul 2023 | Lets candidates seek injunctions and damages over undisclosed synthetic media in electioneering communications, with a disclosure safe harbor. |
| Fabricated intimate images | HB 1999 (2024), Laws 2024, ch. 88 | In force | 6 Jun 2024 | Extends criminal and civil laws on intimate images and child sexual abuse material to digitally fabricated depictions. |
| Forged digital likeness | SHB 1205 (2025), Laws 2025; SB 5886 (2026), Laws 2026, ch. 69 | In force | 27 Jul 2025 | Makes knowingly distributing a forged digital likeness of a person with intent to defraud, harass or intimidate a crime; SB 5886 further amended the forged-likeness law effective June 11, 2026. |
| Fabricated depictions of minors | SB 5105 (2026), Laws 2026, ch. 223 | In force | 11 Jun 2026 | Revises offenses involving fabricated (including AI-generated) sexual depictions of minors. |
02 / Government use
Rules for the state's own AI use
Executive Order 24-01, Artificial Intelligence (generative AI guidelines, procurement, risk assessments for state agencies)
AI Task Force administered by the Attorney General (SB 5838, Laws 2024, ch. 163)
Optional evidence · where Planisphere fits
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SOURCES
Go back to the source
Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
Office of the Governor of Washington
CHANGE LOG
What changed, and when
Rebuilt from state legislature and agency sources.
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