Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
Would bar operators of generative AI companions from using listed unsafe features, such as claiming to be human, flattery, unprompted emotional questions, encouraging self-harm or secrecy, or sexual content, unless the user is not a known minor and age is checked. The Attorney General would enforce.
Who it would cover
Operators that provide a covered AI companion (a generative AI system with a natural-language interface giving ongoing, adaptive responses) to New York users. Not applied to AI offered solely for customer service or efficiency/research help that cannot respond outside that purpose, or for a business's internal use (§ 1801(2)).
What it would require
| Minors | Operators may not provide unsafe AI companion features to a covered user unless the user is not a covered minor (someone the operator actually knows is under 18) and the operator uses permitted age-determination methods.§ 1801(1) |
|---|---|
| Age checks | Where Article 45 or Attorney General rules do not apply, operators must use a reasonable age-assurance method: resist circumvention, minimize data, accept self-declaration only of minor status, offer more than one method, and delete data after the check.§ 1804 |
| Design limits | Unsafe features include implying the AI is human or has emotions, personal-opinion or flattering output, unprompted emotional questions, using health or personal data from more than twelve hours earlier or a past session, encouraging secrecy or isolation, engagement optimization over safety, and sexually explicit output.§ 1800 |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Attorney General§ 1802 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | No |
| Penalties | Injunctions, restitution, disgorgement, damages and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. |
Key dates
- Scheduled effective date if signed (§ 3)
Related laws
- New York S 9408-A / A 11144-BBan on chatbot toysPassed both chambers
- New York A 10008-C / S 9008-CSafe by Design ActTakes effect Jan. 1, 2027
Sources
- NY Senate bill page S9051-B Supports: actions, text, penalty, effective date.
- NY Senate bill page A10379-C Supports: Assembly passage June 5, 2026.