In one paragraph
California bans toys with companion chatbots until 2031. From January 1, 2027, no one may make, sell, exchange, possess for sale, or offer to a retailer a toy (a physical product designed, marketed or made for play by children under 16) that includes a companion chatbot: an AI system with a natural-language interface that gives adaptive, human-like responses and can meet a user's social needs, including by sustaining a relationship across interactions. Violations carry the same civil liability as the state's companion chatbot rules. The ban is repealed January 1, 2031. Signed September 10, 2026 (Chapter 189).
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
If you make or sell toys for children under 16 in California, you can't make or sell ones with an AI companion chatbot from Jan. 1, 2027 through 2030.
Key provisions
- Bus. & Prof. Code § 22604.5: no manufacture, sale, exchange, possession with intent to sell or exchange, or offer for sale to a retailer of any toy that includes a companion chatbot
- Toy: a physical product designed, marketed or manufactured for use in play by children under 16 (§ 22601(g))
- Companion chatbot: an AI system with a natural-language interface that gives adaptive, human-like responses and can meet a user's social needs, including through anthropomorphic features and a relationship sustained across interactions
- Not companion chatbots: customer-service and business-operations bots, limited video-game bots, and speaker voice assistants that don't sustain a relationship or elicit emotional responses
- Violations carry the same civil liability as violations of the state's companion chatbot operator rules (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601 and following)
- Signed September 10, 2026 (Chapter 189, Statutes of 2026); effective January 1, 2027; the ban is repealed January 1, 2031
Latest legislative action
Sep 10, 2026. Approved by the Governor; Chapter 189, Statutes of 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 9)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Archuleta D | Sponsor | SD-030 |
| Jerry McNerney D | Sponsor | SD-005 |
| Juan Alanis R | Sponsor | HD-022 |
| Pilar Schiavo D | Sponsor | HD-040 |
| Robert Garcia D | Sponsor | HD-050 |
Roll call votes
S Do pass as amended May 14, 2026
7 yea0 nayPassed
S Placed on suspense file Apr 20, 2026
7 yea0 nayPassed
S Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] Apr 6, 2026
9 yea0 nayPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error