Relates to liability for misleading, incorrect, contradictory or harmful information provided to a user by a chatbot

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Consumer Affairs and Protection · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Internet And Technology · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill would amend the general business law, to assign liability for the actions of chatbots to the proprietors of such chatbots. SUMMARY OF ORIGINAL PROVISIONS: Section 1. Amends the general business law by adding a new section 390-f, which sets forth requirements for liability of the proprietors of chatbots. Subsection 1 defines the terms "chatbot" and "proprietor". Subsection 2 (a) provides that a proprietor using a chatbot as an alter- native to a human representative may not disclaim liability for mate- rially misleading, incorrect, contradictory, or harmful information. A proprietor may avoid liability by correcting the information and curing the harm within 30 days. Subsection 2 (b) provides that a proprietor is responsible for ensuring the chatbot provides information that is consistent with formal poli- cies, product details, disclosures, and terms of service to consumers. Subsection 2 (c) provides that a proprietor may not disclaim liability by disclosing to consumers that they are interacting with a non-human chatbot. Subsection 3 provides that a proprietor using a chatbot must provide notice to users that that they are interacting with an Al chatbot rather than a human representative. Section 2. This act shall take effect one year after becoming a law. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED Adds subsection 1 (a). Defines "artificial intelligence" Adds subsection 1 (c). Defines "companion chatbot" Adds subsection 1 (d). Defines "covered user" Adds subsection 1 (e). Defines "human-like" Adds subsection 1 (f). Defines "minor" Amends subsection 1 (g). Changes the definition of "proprietor" by removing the requirement that such proprietor have twenty or more employees. Makes other technical changes. Amends subsections 2 (a) and 2 (b). Makes technical changes. Adds a new subdivision 3. States that proprietors of chatbots or other entities may not disclaim liability where their chatbots provide incor- rect, contradictory or harmful information to a covered user that results in bodily harm to a covered user or any third party. Adds a new subdivision 4. Requires proprietors using chatbots to provide notice to covered users that they are interaction with an AI chatbot and not a human. Adds a new subsection 5 (a). Requires that proprietors of companion chatbots use commercially reasonable and technically feasible methods to prevent the self-harm, and to determine whether a covered user is expressing thoughts of self-harm. Where the proprietor makes such a determination, the user must be prohibited from using the platform for at least 24 hours and they must show a suicide crisis organization contact. Adds a new subsection 5 (b). Creates liability for violating 4 (a). Adds a new subsection 5 (c). Creates liability where the proprietor has actual knowledge that a companion chatbot is promoting, causing or aiding self-harm or a covered user has thoughts of self-harm, the proprietor does not prevent the user from using the chatbot for at least 24 hours and does not prominently display the suicide crisis organiza- tion contact, and the user harms themselves. Adds a new subsection 5 (d). States that a proprietor of a companion chatbot cannot waive or disclaim liability under this subdivision. Adds a new subsection 6 (a). Requires that a proprietor of a companion chatbot use commercially reasonable and technically feasible methods to determine whether a covered user is a minor. Adds a new subsection 6 (b). Where a user is determined to be a minor, the proprietor shall cease the user's use of the chatbot until they have obtained parental consent and, where they are determined to be having thoughts of self-harm, they are prohibited from using the service for at least three days and a suicide crisis organization contact is displayed. Adds a new subsection 6 (c). States that a proprietor is strictly liable for any harm caused where they fail to comply with paragraphs (a) or (b) of this subdivision and they inflict self-harm upon them

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

• Vote: Committee vote · Internet And Technology

  Senate Internet And TechnologyMar 12, 2025Result: passed

  Voted yes (7)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (0)

  See member positions

Full history

1. Mar 5, 2026

   Reference Changed to Science and Technology

   REFERENCE CHANGED TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

   NY Assembly

2. Jan 7, 2026

   Referred to committee

   REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION

   NY Assembly

3. Jan 7, 2026

   Referred to committee

   REFERRED TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY

   NY Senate

4. Jun 13, 2025

   In committee

   COMMITTED TO RULES

   NY Senate

5. Mar 17, 2025

   Advanced to Third Reading

   ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

   NY Senate

About this record

Summary

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Source

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

• Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.