PennsylvaniaPennsylvania would ban making and selling children's chatbot toys for three years
If enacted, Pennsylvania would immediately start a three-year ban on making, distributing, selling, or leasing chatbot toys designed for children under 14.
What it does
People and businesses would be barred from making, distributing, selling, or leasing toys with interactive generative AI chatbots for children under 14. The ban would last three years.
The Attorney General could ask a court to stop violations and seek costs, repayment, and civil penalties under Pennsylvania's consumer protection law.
Argument forThe three-year ban could reduce young children's exposure to unpredictable, AI-generated conversations through toys sold in Pennsylvania.
Argument againstBusinesses could face court orders, repayment demands, costs, and civil penalties for offering a covered toy during the ban.
More detail
People and businesses would be barred from making, distributing, selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease a covered toy in Pennsylvania. This covers products designed, made, marketed, or intended as playthings for children under 14. The toy must use generative AI to simulate or take part in an interactive conversation. Technology that gives only scripted, prewritten, or predetermined responses would not be covered. If enacted, the ban would start immediately and stop applying three years later.
The Attorney General could sue in the Commonwealth's name to stop a violation and seek financial remedies. This enforcement would apply to violations of the three-year toy ban. The listed remedies would add to any others available under law. The Attorney General could still pursue violations that happened before the ban expired.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 7Laid on the tableLatest
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Communications & Technology): Report Bill As Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Communications & Technology): Adopt Amendment A04533. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Communications & Technology): Adopt Amendment A04531. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 7First considerationMinor
- Oct 7Reported as amendedMajor
- Jun 15Referred to Communications & TechnologyIntroduced
- Oct 7Laid on the tableLatest
TechnologyAI & PrivacyConsumer Protection