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Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state transportation, economic development and environmental conservation budget for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year
In one paragraph
Part Y of Chapter 58 of 2026 (FY2027 budget) enacts the Safe by Design Act (General Business Law Article 45-B). Operators of covered platforms may not offer an integrated AI companion without age assurance, must disable integrated AI companions by default for users under 18, and must let parents keep or override that setting. AI characters confined to a game's fictional context are excluded. The Attorney General may set age assurance rules and enforce, and design features that subvert these choices are banned. Part Y takes effect January 1, 2027. Part E extends the autonomous vehicle testing program to April 1, 2028.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Social media, gaming and app operators that embed AI companion features must build age assurance and default-off controls for New York minors by January 1, 2027.
Key provisions
- Integrated AI companions must be disabled by default for covered minors
- Age assurance required before offering an integrated AI companion; self-declaration not allowed
- Parents can separately override or keep the AI companion default
- Exclusion for game NPCs confined to a fictional context
- Attorney General rulemaking and enforcement; Part Y effective January 1, 2027
- Part E: autonomous vehicle testing authorization extended to April 1, 2028
Latest legislative action
May 26, 2026. Signed by Governor May 26, 2026. Chapter 58 of 2026.
Topics and industries
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