The Assembly Business and Professions Committee advanced SB 903 on Monday, sending the bill to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee after testimony that linked the measure to concerns about AI chatbots presenting themselves as therapists.
The committee summary says the bill, by Sen. Padilla, would restrict artificial-intelligence chatbots from advertising themselves as therapists or independently providing psychotherapy without licensed-professional oversight. It also says the measure moved forward after testimony from Maria Rain, a licensed clinical social worker who said her teenage son died by suicide after interactions with ChatGPT.
Supporters included behavioral health, nursing, psychology and labor groups, according to the committee summary. The California Behavioral Health Association backed the bill, and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist, the California Psychological Association and the National Union of Healthcare Workers were listed as supporters.
Hospitals, the California Medical Association, tech interests and other groups opposed SB 903 unless amended, the summary says. Those opponents included the California Hospital Association, ATA Action and TechNet.
The committee’s action marks a significant step for one of California’s closely watched AI and mental-health bills, though the summary notes the measure still faces review in its next policy committee.
