Steve Padilla (D-CA) introduced a bill on Monday that would impose a four-year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 18. The proposal aims to give safety regulators time to develop rules to protect kids from what the legislation describes as “dangerous AI interactions.”
“Chatbots and other AI tools may become integral parts of our lives in the future, but the dangers they pose now require us to take bold action to protect our children,” Padilla said in a statement. “Our safety regulations around this kind of technology are in their infancy and will need to grow as exponentially as the capabilities of this technology do. Pausing the sale of these chatbot-integrated toys allows us time to craft the appropriate safety guidelines and framework for these toys to follow.”
The bill, known as SB 867, follows a recent executive order from Donald Trump that directs federal agencies to challenge state-level AI laws in court. That order, however, specifically exempts state legislation related to child safety. The proposal also comes amid growing concern over incidents involving children and AI chatbots.
Over the past year, lawsuits filed by families whose children died by suicide after extended interactions with chatbots have prompted lawmakers to act. Padilla also co-authored California’s recently passed SB 243, which requires chatbot operators to implement safeguards for children and other vulnerable users.
Although chatbot-enabled toys are not yet widespread, there have already been reports raising alarms. In November 2025, consumer advocacy group PIRG Education Fund warned that toys such as Kumma — a stuffed bear with an integrated chatbot — could be easily prompted to discuss topics like matches, knives, and sexual content. Separately, NBC News reported that Miiloo, an “AI toy for kids” produced by Chinese company Miriat, at times suggested it was programmed to reflect Chinese Communist Party values.
OpenAI and Mattel were previously expected to release an “AI-powered product” in 2025, but delayed the launch. Neither company has explained the delay, and it remains unclear whether a release is planned for 2026.
“Our children cannot be used as lab rats for Big Tech to experiment on,” Padilla said.