CA SB 867
California Senate Bill 867 - AI Chatbot Toy Moratorium Act
Proposes a 4-year moratorium on the sale and manufacturing of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 12. During the moratorium, a task force would develop safety standards with input from technologists, parents, and ethicists.
Jurisdiction
California
Enacted
Pending
Effective
TBD
Enforcement
To be determined (likely California Attorney General)
Introduced January 5, 2026 by Sen. Padilla. Passed the Senate 39-0 on May 28, 2026 and moved to the Assembly. Reported out of Assembly Appropriations do-pass-as-amended 11-0 on August 13, 2026 with Assembly Rule 63 suspended, read a second time and amended, then read a third time and amended again on August 27, 2026 (Joint Rule 61(b)(16) suspended) and re-ordered to third reading. Listed by the Legislature as an active bill in the floor process, in the Assembly, as of August 30, 2026. An Assembly floor vote and Senate concurrence are still required before the session adjourns August 31, 2026.
Senator Steve Padilla Official AnnouncementWhy It Matters
This is the first-in-the-nation attempt to regulate AI chatbots embedded in children's toys. It directly addresses concerns about adaptive AI systems that record and analyze children's voices and behaviors. The 4-year moratorium provides time to develop safety standards while protecting children from potentially harmful AI interactions through toys.
Recent Developments
Advanced materially in August 2026: out of Assembly Appropriations 11-0 on August 13, second reading and amendment the same day, third reading and further amendment on August 27, 2026, each time being re-ordered to third reading. No Assembly floor passage vote had been recorded on the Legislature bill history as of August 30, 2026, one day before adjournment. Status corrected from proposed to pending in this sweep: the prior record still described the bill as needing to clear Senate Rules and policy committees, which the Senate 39-0 passage on May 28, 2026 had already superseded.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Requires
Who Must Comply
- Toy manufacturers operating in California
- Toy retailers selling in California
- Products defined as toys designed for children 12 years or younger with AI chatbot functionality
Obligations fall on:
Applicability thresholds:
Safety Provisions
- Bans sale and manufacturing of AI chatbot toys for children under 12 for 4 years
- Establishes task force to develop safety standards during moratorium period
- Requires multi-stakeholder input (technologists, parents, ethicists) for standard development
- Addresses adaptive AI that records and analyzes children's voice and behavioral patterns
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jan 1, 2031
Moratorium would end; safety standards would take effect
Penalties
To be determined in final bill text
View on map
California
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
California. (n.d.). California Senate Bill 867 - AI Chatbot Toy Moratorium Act.
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Last updated August 30, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.