New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to require AI frameworks for AI frontier models, setting a nation-leading standard for AI transparency and safety. 

The legislation, formally known as S6953B/A6453B, requires large AI developers operating in New York to publicly document their safety and risk-mitigation protocols and to report serious AI-related incidents to the state within 72 hours of confirming they occurred. The law also creates a new oversight office within the New York State Department of Financial Services, which will evaluate major frontier AI developers and publish annual public reports on industry practices.

“By enacting the RAISE Act, New York is once again leading the nation in setting a strong and sensible standard for frontier AI safety, holding the biggest developers accountable for their safety and transparency protocols,” Hochul said. “This law builds on California’s recently adopted framework, creating a unified benchmark among the country’s leading tech states as the federal government lags behind, failing to implement common-sense regulations that protect the public.”

Under the new statute, the state attorney general is empowered to bring civil actions against companies that fail to comply with reporting requirements or submit false information. Penalties can reach up to $1 million for an initial violation and as much as $3 million for repeat offenses.

The RAISE Act complements New York’s broader AI strategy, including Empire AI, a state-backed consortium aimed at advancing ethical and socially beneficial AI research.