New York S.9051-B (AI Companion Age Checks)

New York, United StatesNew York S.9051-B / A.10379-CUpdated October 28, 2026

100%became law
Bad for your rightsLaw
  1. Introduced
  2. Passed Senate
  3. Passed House
  4. Became Law

Signed October 28, 2026 (Chapter 368 of 2026); takes effect January 1, 2027

New York law that locks the human-like features of AI companion chatbots until the operator has checked that the user is an adult.

Latest update

Delivered to Gov. Kathy Hochul and signed into law; Chapter 368 of the Laws of 2026

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The bill

Official bill record

Key facts

Where
New York, United States
Bill number
New York S.9051-B / A.10379-C
Status
Law
Introduced
January 27, 2026
Threat
High
Last update
October 28, 2026

Topics

Age Verification billsDigital ID billsPrivacy billsCensorship billsArtificial Intelligence bills

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What 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, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it on October 28, 2026, as Chapter 368 of the Laws of 2026, and it takes effect January 1, 2027.

What’s at stake

Adults who want the full product will 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, and Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it on October 28, 2026. Adults should not have to show ID to talk to software.

Timeline

  1. Takes effectUpcoming

  2. Delivered to Gov. Kathy Hochul and signed into law; Chapter 368 of the Laws of 2026Latest

  3. Passed the Assembly 137-0 and returned to the Senate

  4. Passed the Senate 60-0

  5. Amended (S.9051-B)

  6. Amended (S.9051-A)

  7. Reported by the Senate Finance Committee

  8. Reported by the Senate Internet and Technology Committee

  9. Introduced in the Senate

The record

Sponsors

Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Asm. Alex Bores

Votes

  • Senate: Passed (60 to 0), June 4, 2026
  • Assembly: Passed (137 to 0), June 5, 2026