S 9408 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to a prohibition on chatbot toys

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of chatbot toys within the state, directly affecting toy manufacturers, sellers, and distributors. It defines a chatbot toy as any children's toy that includes an artificial intelligence companion and bans all commercial activities related to these products. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general, who can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to fifteen thousand dollars per day without needing to prove that a specific person was harmed. The law includes a five-year expiration clause, meaning it would automatically end five years after it takes effect.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 10, 2026 Last action Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S9408 S9408A · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended after committee review to remove a requirement for an interagency study on chatbot toys and replace it with a new enforcement mechanism. The Attorney General is now authorized to sue violators immediately without waiting for a study, with the power to seek civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day. Additionally, the bill's effective date is set to expire five years after it becomes law.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on prohibiting the sale of chatbot toys, but the path to enforcement has shifted from a research-based approach to immediate legal action.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for an interagency study to evaluate the risks and benefits of chatbot toys over four years.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the Attorney General to bring civil actions against violators and seek penalties of up to $15,000 per day.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset clause requiring the act to expire five years after its effective date.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 1, 2026 · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

How they voted

573
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 63
Jun 1, 2026
D Democratic41
38 Yea 3
92% Yea
R Republican22
19 Yea 3 Nay
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Jun 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jun 1, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Jun 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jun 1, 2026
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 9408A
upper
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Andrew Gounardes
Andrew Gounardes
DDemocratic
NY
26