New York governor signs AI chatbot regulation law, which will prohibit providing harmful features to minors

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed bill S.9051B/A.10379C on October 28, prohibiting the provision of harmful features of AI chatbots to users under 18 in the state. The law applies to generative AI systems that continuously give contextual responses to text or voice input, including AI companions that simulate friend or romantic relationships, and prohibits responses that imply it is human or has emotions, flatter users, encourage suicide or self-harm, and prompt users to conceal the interaction or isolate themselves. Operators must confirm users are 18 or older, may not rely on self-declaration alone, and must offer multiple age verification methods with at least one not relying on government ID or that can remain anonymous; the state attorney general may seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation in court, among other measures. The bill's sponsor, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, said the effective date has been adjusted to June 1, 2027, while as of November 2 the bill text on the state legislature website still says January 1, 2027. The state previously had AI companion safety rules taking effect on November 5, 2025, requiring users to be told at the start of use and every 3 consecutive hours of use that the conversation partner is not human.