California State Senator Steve Padilla has introduced legislation seeking a four-year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 18. The bill, known as SB 867, is intended to give safety regulators time to develop protections against harmful AI interactions involving minors.
Padilla said the proposal reflects growing concern that existing safety frameworks have not kept pace with the rapid deployment of AI systems. The legislation follows recent incidents and lawsuits involving children and prolonged interactions with chatbots, as well as Padilla’s earlier work co-authoring SB 243, which mandates safeguards for chatbot operators serving children and vulnerable users.
The proposal arrives amid broader national debate over AI regulation, following a recent executive order from President Donald Trump directing federal agencies to challenge state AI laws, while explicitly allowing exceptions related to child safety. The bill also responds to reports of unsafe or inappropriate behavior in early AI-enabled toys and delayed product launches from major technology and consumer brands.
