AI Companion Safeguards Law
New York AI Companion Models Safeguards Law (GBL Article 47)
New York · N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 1700–1704
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- November 5, 2025
- Applies to
- Any person or entity operating an AI companion model in New York
- Enforced by
- New York Attorney General
The first state law regulating emotionally responsive 'AI companion' chatbots. Operators must clearly tell users they are talking to an AI (with reminders at least every three hours in ongoing sessions) and must detect signs of suicidal ideation or self-harm and refer users to crisis services.
Who is protected: New York users of AI companion chatbots, including vulnerable users and minors
Legal detail
N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law Art. 47 (§§ 1700–1704), enacted in the FY2026 budget and effective Nov. 5, 2025, imposes AI-disclosure and self-harm safety-protocol requirements on operators of AI companions available in New York.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | New York |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | May 9, 2025 |
| Citation | N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 1700–1704 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Civil penalties enforceable by the Attorney General (proceeds support suicide-prevention programs) |
| Topics | consumer protection · children's online safety · healthcare AI · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Statute | NY Consolidated Laws, General Business Law Article 47 (Section 1700) |
More AI rules in New York
- NYDFS CL 7 (2024) — Insurance AI Anti-Discrimination · In effect
- NY Hochul EO — Statewide Data Center Moratorium (2026) · In effect
- New York Stealth Crawler Prohibition Act (2026) · Proposed / pending
- New York SAFE for Kids Act final rules (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- RealPage v. James — NY algorithmic rent ban enjoined (2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- NY PSC utility AI inquiry (Case 26-M-0552) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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