California lawmakers are moving to hit pause on a fast growing corner of the toy industry as concerns mount over how artificial intelligence interacts with children.
On Monday, Senator Steve Padilla (D-CA) introduced SB 867, a bill that would impose a four year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys equipped with AI chatbot features for anyone under 18. The proposal is designed to give regulators time to establish safety rules aimed at shielding children from what Padilla 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 arrives shortly after President Trump issued an executive order encouraging federal agencies to challenge state AI laws, while specifically allowing exceptions tied to child safety. It also follows a wave of lawsuits from families who say their children died by suicide after prolonged interactions with chatbots, adding urgency to calls for stronger oversight.
Padilla has already played a role in shaping California’s approach to AI safety. He co-authored SB 243, a recently passed law requiring chatbot operators to implement protections for children and other vulnerable users.
While AI powered toys are still emerging, early examples have raised red flags. Consumer advocates warned in late 2025 that toys like the chatbot enabled bear Kumma could be prompted to discuss weapons and sexual topics. NBC News also reported that Miiloo, an AI toy produced by Chinese company Miriat, at times reflected messaging aligned with Chinese Communist Party values.
“Our children cannot be used as lab rats for Big Tech to experiment on,” Padilla said.
