NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 6, 2026San Diego
California Senate Bill 903 proposes restrictions on AI use in mental healthcare
Senate Bill 903 would prohibit companies from advertising AI chatbots as therapy and require licensed professional review for AI-driven therapeutic decisions. The bill also mandates that health providers obtain patient consent before using AI to record therapy sessions or triage mental health needs.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
The bill aims to regulate the use of AI in mental health services to prevent potential inaccuracies or mishandling of crisis situations, impacting both tech companies and healthcare providers operating in California.
Key Facts
- SB 903 would ban companies from advertising AI chatbots as therapy.
- The bill prohibits AI from making therapeutic decisions without review by a licensed professional.
- Health providers would be required to disclose and obtain patient permission before using AI to record therapy sessions or triage mental healthcare.
- The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Assembly’s fiscal committee.
- OpenAI reported that approximately 1.2 million users per week share thoughts of suicide on its platform.
- Illinois was the first state to pass a law prohibiting the use of AI in therapy services.
- The National Union of Healthcare Workers filed a complaint against Kaiser Permanente regarding its use of an automated algorithm for mental health triaging.
- Kaiser Permanente denies using AI to diagnose patients or make clinical decisions in its e-visit tool.
Who's Mentioned
other988“Mental health crisis hotline”organizationKaiser Permanente“Subject of a complaint regarding AI-driven mental health triaging”organizationTechNet“Industry group opposing potential restrictions on AI innovation”organizationOpenAI“Developer of ChatGPT”organizationNational Union of Healthcare Workers“Supporter of the bill and complainant against Kaiser Permanente”personSteve Padilla“California State Senator and author of SB 903”