What's happening
This bill requires baby monitors sold in New York to have security features and warning labels about internet connection risks.
Why it matters
Addresses real privacy concerns. By requiring security features and explicit warning labels, the bill tackles the risk of baby monitors being hacked—an issue that has resulted in disturbing incidents where strangers accessed live feeds in nurseries.
Holds manufacturers accountable. The law puts the responsibility on manufacturers to ensure their products have built-in protections, rather than leaving it up to parents (who may not be tech-savvy) to secure devices on their own.
Empowers local enforcement and retains fines locally. Civil penalties for violations are enforced by local officials, with collected fines staying within the municipality—potentially incentivizing active oversight and quicker responses to complaints.
Sets a precedent for connected devices. By singling out baby monitors for these requirements, the bill could set a model for how other internet-connected household devices might be regulated in the future to protect consumer privacy and security.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Baby Monitor Warnings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.367
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- 3rd reading cal.1747
- Substituted for S9508
- Referred to internet and technology
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.406
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
Show 4 earlier actions
- Print number 5175a
- Amend and recommit to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Baby Monitor Security
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Andrew Gounardes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5175--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection -- recommitted to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring certain security features and warning labels on baby monitors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-iii to read as follows:
§ 399-iii. Baby monitors. 1. As used in this section, "baby monitor" means a device that is marketed exclusively for the purpose of broadcasting audio or video of an infant or child. The term shall not include a multi-functional device such as a smart phone, digital video camera, security camera, or other similar device.
2. (a) No person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation shall manufacture, distribute, sell or offer for sale a new baby monitor that broadcasts audio or video through an internet connection unless it includes: (i) security features to prevent unauthorized users from hearing or viewing activity; and (ii) a label or notice warning consumers of the risks associated with an unsecured baby monitor connection, and the importance of using its security features.
(b) The label or notice required by paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall be displayed in a written, printed, or graphic manner on the box, container, or package of a baby monitor, or shall otherwise accompany the baby monitor at the time of its distribution or sale in type no less than size twelve-point font. The information on the label shall be conspicuous and easily understandable to consumers and be substantially similar to the following:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09221-02-6
"WARNING! THIS PRODUCT CONNECTS TO THE INTERNET. TO PREVENT UNAUTHOR- IZED USERS FROM ACCESSING OR VIEWING PRODUCT ACTIVITY, USE THE SECURITY FEATURES PROVIDED."
3. Manufacturers shall be responsible for ensuring that all baby monitors have the security features to prevent unauthorized users from hearing or viewing activities and the warning label as required by subdivision two of this section.
4. Any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation in violation of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and not more than five hundred dollars for a second or subsequent violation of this section. The provisions of this section shall be enforced concurrently by the director or commissioner of a municipal consumer affairs office, or by the town attorney, city corporation counsel, or other lawful designee of a municipal or local government, and all moneys collected thereunder shall be retained by such municipality or local government.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.