The Tech Oversight Project today applauded the New York State Legislature’s unanimous final passage of the nation-leading youth chatbot safety bill (S.9051/A.10379), sponsored by State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assemblymember Alex Bores and developed in cooperation with Attorney General Letitia James.

“In a year when Big Tech killed or gutted chatbot safety bills in state after state, New York just passed the strongest youth AI protections in the country. We applaud Senator Gonzalez, Assemblymember Bores, Attorney General James, and the lawmakers in both chambers who stood with families and refused to let Big Tech write the rules. This bill confronts a growing emergency: Big Tech’s dangerously designed chatbots are driving young people to self-harm, disordered eating, and suicide. It was written by lawmakers, the Attorney General, and advocates who put kids first – not by the industry it regulates. Governor Hochul should sign it, and she should sign it as passed, continuing New York’s leadership in taking on Big Tech to keep our kids safe,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project.

In total, more than 20 organizations and over 300 New York mental health practitioners endorsed the bill. The Kids Code Coalition and The Tech Oversight Project earlier this week urged lawmakers to act.

If signed as passed, the bill will prohibit AI chatbots from promoting self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or substance abuse to minors; from simulating human relationships with kids; and from encouraging them to keep interactions secret or avoid turning to trusted adults for help. It will empower the Attorney General to enforce the law with penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.