California State Senator Steve Padilla has introduced a bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot functionality for children under 18 for four years. The bill, known as SB 867, aims to give safety regulators time to develop safeguards against harmful AI interactions involving minors.
Padilla said the proposal reflects growing concerns that existing safety frameworks are not keeping up with the rapid adoption of AI systems. The legislation follows recent events and lawsuits involving children and long-term interactions with chatbots, as well as co-authoring Padilla’s previous work, SB 243, which mandates safeguards for chatbot operators serving children and vulnerable users.
The proposal comes amid a broader national debate over AI regulation following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing federal agencies to challenge state AI laws, with explicit child safety exceptions. The bill also responds to reports of unsafe or inappropriate practices in early AI-enabled toys and delays in product launches from major technology and consumer brands.
