SB 5 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE SAFETY.

SB 5 (AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE SAFETY) requires subscription-based AI providers (e.g., companies offering AI tools via paid plans) to give consumers clear, written disclosures about subscription terms before signing or renewing. This includes detailing any usage limits, such as restrictions based on user behavior or changes to prior terms. The bill also establishes new safety rules for "frontier developers" of advanced AI systems ("foundation models"), defining "catastrophic risk" as scenarios where AI could cause mass harm (e.g., aiding weapon creation or severe physical injury) and mandating risk assessments by covered employees. It does not ban specific AI uses but sets transparency and safety protocols for high-risk systems. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → GL Joint Favorable Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to replace vague references to other sections with specific, standalone definitions for key terms like 'Artificial Intelligence Technology' and 'Consumer.' Additionally, a reference to the definition of 'Employee' was updated to remove a specific subsection number, and the page count of the bill was reduced from 97 to 64 pages.

Scope change

The scope of applicability was narrowed and clarified by defining 'Consumer' strictly as an individual physically present in the state, rather than relying on a separate section for the definition.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Artificial Intelligence Technology' was changed to explicitly mean any computer system or product using AI as defined in section 19, replacing a reference to section 3.

The definition of 'Consumer' was changed to mean an individual physically present in the state, replacing a reference to section 3.

The definition of 'Person' was expanded to explicitly list individuals, associations, corporations, LLCs, partnerships, trusts, and other legal entities.

The definition of 'Subscription-based provider' was updated to specify 'doing business in the state' instead of 'this state'.

The definition of 'Employee' was updated to reference section 31-51m of the general statutes without the specific subsection (a) qualifier.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated from 'Committee Bill No. 5' to 'Substitute Bill No. 5,' and the page count was reduced from 97 to 64 pages.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2026 · House May 1, 2026

How they voted

32–4

Passed

Total votes 36

Apr 21, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

7 Yea 4 Nay

63% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 27, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

upper

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Apr 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

upper

67 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

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Legislator

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State

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