New York S.9051-B (AI Companion Age Checks)
New York, United StatesHigh threat- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- Became Law
Stage 1 of 4: Introduced
New York's legislature passed a bill that locks the human-like features of AI companion chatbots until the operator has checked that the user is an adult.
Latest update
Passed the Assembly 137-0 and returned to the Senate
Take action
This bill is still moving, so there's still time to push back.
Take action on this issueContact LawmakersWhat it does
The bill adds Article 48 to the General Business Law. Operators may not provide "unsafe AI companion features" to a user, such as a bot claiming to have emotions or a personal relationship, flattery, or recall of personal details from earlier sessions, unless they have used approved methods to determine that the user is not a minor. Until the Attorney General's rules apply, operators must offer more than one check, including one that avoids government ID or keeps the user anonymous to the operator, and a user's own claim to be an adult does not count. The Attorney General can seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, and the law would take effect January 1, 2027 if signed.
What’s at stake
Adults who want the full product would have to prove their age to a chatbot company, which ties an identity or a face scan to some of the most personal conversations people have with software. The anonymous option softens this, but the check stays mandatory for any adult who wants the unrestricted version.
Our take
New York is extending the SAFE for Kids model from social feeds to chatbots: a restricted default that adults unlock by proving their age. Both chambers passed it without a single no vote, so Gov. Kathy Hochul is the only remaining stop. Adults should not have to show ID to talk to software.
Timeline
Passed the Assembly 137-0 and returned to the SenateLatest
Passed the Senate 60-0
Amended (S.9051-B)
Amended (S.9051-A)
Reported by the Senate Finance Committee
Reported by the Senate Internet and Technology Committee
Introduced in the Senate
Sponsors
Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Asm. Alex Bores
Votes
- Senate — Passed (60 to 0) · June 4, 2026
- Assembly — Passed (137 to 0) · June 5, 2026
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