CA SB579: Mental health and artificial intelligence working group.

In one paragraph

California's SB 579 (as amended in the Senate March 26, 2025) would require the Secretary of Government Operations to appoint, on or before July 1, 2026, a mental health and artificial intelligence working group to evaluate AI's role in mental health settings. The group would hold at least three public meetings, report to the Legislature by July 1, 2028 and issue a followup report by January 1, 2030, and the provisions would be repealed January 1, 2031. It was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 23, 2025 and is listed as an inactive bill that died.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill died and did not become law. It would have created a state working group with no direct duties for businesses, which could have given input.

Key provisions

1. 1Would add Government Code § 12817, repealed on January 1, 2031 (the digest says July 1, 2031; the section text says January 1, 2031)
2. 2The Secretary of Government Operations would appoint the working group and designate its chairperson on or before July 1, 2026
3. 3It would evaluate AI's role in improving mental health outcomes, current and emerging AI technologies for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and care, and risks such as automated systems, privacy concerns, chatbots and AI that impersonates a mental health professional
4. 4Members would include four behavioral health professionals, three AI and technology experts, two patient advocates, two ethics and law experts, a public health agency appointee, the State Chief Information Officer, the Director of Health Care Services, the chief information officers of three other state agencies, departments or commissions, and one Senator and one Assembly Member
5. 5It would take input from stakeholders including health organizations, academic institutions, technology companies and advocacy groups, and hold at least three public meetings
6. 6Reports to the Legislature would be due by July 1, 2028 (uses, risks, benefits, best practices and a framework for training mental health professionals) and a followup by January 1, 2030
7. 7Members would serve without compensation but be reimbursed for necessary expenses; the group would be subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act
8. 8Status: held in committee and under submission in Senate Appropriations May 23, 2025; returned to the Secretary of the Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56 on February 2, 2026; inactive bill, died

Latest legislative action

Feb 2, 2026. Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 17)

Roll call votes