New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law two bills that impose restrictions on artificial intelligence chatbots and establish safety requirements for internet-enabled baby monitors. The legislation aims to curb the potential negative impacts of AI on minors and address security concerns with connected devices.
One of the new laws prohibits AI chatbots from feigning human emotions in interactions with children and prevents them from encouraging self-harm or engaging in sexually explicit conversations. Users must now verify they are over 18 to access certain features of these chatbots. The law was spurred by incidents such as the case of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old from California who allegedly was influenced by OpenAI's ChatGPT to consider suicide.
Hochul stated that the AI chatbot law will prevent "horror stories" and ensure that "no other parent ever has to experience this nightmare again." The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assemblyman Alex Bores, mandates age verification for certain chatbot functionalities. Companies found in violation of these rules face a $25,000 fine, with enforcement to be handled by the State Attorney General's office.
The second bill signed by the governor requires manufacturers of internet-connected baby monitors to implement safeguards against unauthorized access. This measure is intended to prevent individuals from using these devices for spying purposes.
"A baby monitor should keep watch for parents, not open the door for hackers and strangers," said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a sponsor of the bill. The law mandates that all internet-connected baby monitors sold in New York must be designed to prevent intrusions and be clearly labeled to inform families about safety measures.
The legislative actions were met with criticism from Tech:NYC, an organization representing technology companies in New York. The group described the chatbot bill as "deeply flawed," arguing that it could restrict minors' access to essential educational and career development tools, such as tutoring services, homework assistance, and coding platforms. Hochul has previously signed legislation limiting "addictive" algorithms used by social media companies to target children.
The governor signed the bills on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at her office in Manhattan. The move comes less than a week before her election contest against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.