Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, announced today that her bill to protect infants and increase product safety has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. The legislation prohibits the use of infant walkers in childcare facilities (Ch. 629 of 2025 and Ch. 13 of 2026).

“Infant walkers have caused horrific tragedies,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “Parents and caregivers who use them logically assume that they are safe for infant use. The reality is that they are not. Walkers give caregivers a false sense of security. Yet there have been instances where a baby has seriously hurt themselves because in a walker they can move faster than an adult can reach them to keep them safe. With this ban, parents can be confident when they drop their child off at a daycare or school knowing that evidence-based safety standards are being upheld and walkers will not be used.”

Infant walkers send children to the hospital every year. They give caregivers an illusion that a baby is safe enough that they can attend to other tasks while the child is entertained and learning to walk. However, infants can fall down stairs or reach harmful objects that may have been out of reach otherwise. Moreover, research has shown that infant walkers do not promote independent walking. Babies who use walkers have delayed development of the skills needed to pull themselves up, balance, and take unsupported steps.

State Senator Cordell Cleare, Senate Prime Sponsor, stated: “Today, we take an important step forward in securing the safety of our precious young ones in childcare facilities. Products made to help facilitate the movement, development and interaction of our toddlers hold great potential but safety has to continue to be our primary concern. This legislation implements the recommendations of parents and pediatricians and it will save young lives.”

“NYS American Academy of Pediatrics applauds Governor Hochul, Assemblymember Paulin, Senator Cleare and the legislature for advancing this critical law,” said Vanessa Salcedo, MD, Vice-Chair, NYS American Academy of Pediatrics. “Infant walkers are not safe and delay motor skills. Pediatricians see  firsthand the injuries that infant walkers cause. Banning these products in childcare facilities is a clear, evidenced-based, and practical step to protect babies.”

“This new law is a victory for child safety in New York State,” said Paulin. “I want to thank Governor Hochul, Senator Cleare, and the advocates who helped make this legislation a reality. “We have a duty to turn hard lessons into action. Today New York has done this, and has strengthened protections for our youngest and most vulnerable.”

This legislation was sponsored in the New York State Senate by State Senator Cordell Cleare and goes into effect 90 days from enactment.