Connecticut’s SB5 passed both chambers on May 1 and heads to the governor, making it one of the most comprehensive AI laws in the United States.
summary
- Connecticut’s SB5 passed by a vote of 131-17 in the House and 32-4 in the Senate on May 1, with Governor Lamont confirming that he would sign the bill.
- The law covers AI companions, artificial media transparency, automated hiring decision tools, and parametric model developers, with staggered effective dates starting in October 2026.
- The law goes into effect despite a Trump administration executive order urging states to avoid burdensome AI regulation, making Connecticut the latest state to defy federal pressure.
Connecticut SB5 passed on May 1, becoming one of the broadest AI laws in the United States. The House of Representatives voted 131 to 17, and the Senate passed it by 32 votes to 4, with bipartisan support in both chambers. Governor Ned Lamont certain He will sign the bill, now officially titled the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Responsibility and Transparency Act.
The law covers artificial intelligence companions, automated hiring decision tools, artificial media source, and developers of parametric models above specified limits.
The first effective date is October 1, 2026. Most provisions become enforceable exclusively by the state attorney general as unfair or deceptive trade practices, with no private right of action.
What the law requires
For employers, SB5 requires disclosure when automated tools are used in recruiting or hiring decisions and prohibits companies from using such tools as a defense against discrimination claims. The employment provisions go into effect on October 1, 2026.
The accompanying AI rules, covering chatbots that foster emotional connection, will come into effect in January 2027. Generative AI systems with more than 1 million users must adopt C2PA-compliant source data standards.
Frontier developers must create internal AI safety programs and protect employees who report safety concerns. Such as crypto.news I mentionedthe pace of regulation accompanying artificial intelligence across US states accelerates in 2026 following lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Kentucky over the harm caused by chatbots.
Federal collision course
Connecticut joins California, Colorado and others in passing AI laws despite Trump’s executive order, which the White House says is intended to preempt state rules deemed burdensome.
SB5 includes a regulatory sandbox and a working group, with the first meeting required to take place by August 31, 2026, to shape implementation. Such as crypto.news trackingFederal agencies are simultaneously deploying AI tools to fill regulatory gaps, creating a layered enforcement environment for companies operating across state lines.
Attorney General William Tong He said His advice to businesses in February 2026 indicated that his office was already looking at AI directly within its remit. The SB5 gives his office expanded tools specifically designed to work on this situation.
