Connecticut’s big AI law took effect today. AG William Tong’s office said consumers get new rights now. It’s a long list that includes forcing chatbots to protect kids and employers required to tell you when software is looking over your job application.
But neither of those starts today. Under Public Act 26-15, the chatbot rules for kids start on the first day of 2027 and the job applicant notice goes live October 1, 2027, according to Faegre Drinker and Proskauer. Staggering the start dates like this is normal in government, it takes time for the government to set it up and companies need time to comply. But the announcements didn’t mention it.
So here’s what actually went live today.
Any employer filing a mass layoff notice now has to disclose whether the job cuts are “related to the employer’s use of artificial intelligence or another technological change.” This covers companies with 100 or more employees, for the most part.
A company facing a discrimination complaint can’t blame its hiring software anymore, too. The law says using that tool is “not a defense.”
The stuff the AG enforces even has a cushion. Through the end of September 2027, the AG has to provide companies the opportunity to fix a violation before getting penalized.
The big thing I’m watching is the layoff question. It’s still unclear if the public will get to see the answers because the law says employers report to the Labor Department but doesn’t say that the department is required to publish them. I emailed the Labor Department and starting today, I’ll track down every notice that comes in.