California lawmakers moved closer to placing strict limits on AI-powered toys for children.
In a rare unanimous vote, the California Senate approved a bill that would block the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot features for four years. Senate Bill 867, introduced by Senator Steve Padilla of San Diego, passed with a 39-0 vote on Thursday.
If the bill becomes law, California would become the first state in the United States to pause the rollout of conversational AI toys aimed at people under 18.
The measure comes as toy companies release more products that use generative AI. These toys include talking stuffed animals, robotic companions, and smart play devices that can hold open-ended conversations. Many use technology similar to systems behind chatbots such as ChatGPT and Grok.
Supporters of the bill say the market has moved faster than safety rules.
“The reach of AI technology is expanding at breakneck speed,” Padilla said after the vote. He argued that lawmakers must not allow companies to market untested technology to children without clear safeguards.
The proposed four-year pause would give lawmakers, researchers, child psychologists, and technology experts time to study the effects of AI toys and build safety standards for the industry.
New California Bill Proposed to Protect Children from the Risks of AI Powered Toys
Researchers and child safety groups have raised several concerns about early AI toy systems. Tests found that some products engaged in sexual conversations, gave guidance on finding dangerous household items such as knives and matches, and used techniques that pushed children toward longer and repeated play sessions.
Experts also found data privacy risks. Many AI toys collect voice recordings, conversation logs, and personal details. Critics warn that parents often have little insight into how companies store, share, or use that information.
California already enforces some of the toughest toy safety laws in the country. Current rules focus on physical dangers such as toxic materials, sharp edges, and choking hazards. Supporters of SB 867 argue that digital risks deserve the same level of attention.
They say a toy can now shape behavior, collect personal data, and influence emotions in ways that traditional safety rules never addressed.
Children Now, a statewide advocacy group, sponsors the bill.
“Children deserve toys that are safe,” said Lishaun Francis of Children Now. Francis said parents should not have to question whether a toy is delivering harmful content instead of play.
The bill also reflects a larger debate over how governments should regulate artificial intelligence. Technology companies often warn that strict rules may slow innovation. Supporters of SB 867 counter that child safety must come before market speed.
The bill’s language makes that point directly. It states that innovation matters, but children should not serve as test subjects for commercial products that lack proper oversight.
The proposal does not ban AI development as a whole. Instead, it targets a specific area where lawmakers believe the risks remain poorly understood. Backers describe the measure as a temporary pause, not a permanent restriction.
That distinction may shape the debate as the bill moves forward.
California’s Path to Protecting Children in the Age of AI: The SB 867 Debate
The legislation now heads to the California State Assembly, where it will face committee review and another floor vote. Lawmakers there will weigh questions about consumer safety, technology policy, and the future role of AI in children’s lives.
The outcome could influence lawmakers beyond California. Other states continue to explore rules for artificial intelligence, especially in areas involving minors, privacy, and mental health.
If SB 867 becomes law, California may set an early model for how governments handle AI products built for children.
For now, the bill signals a clear message from state lawmakers: when it comes to AI and child development, safety rules should keep pace with the technology.
