Get emailed when this bill changes status, is amended, or advances.
Disclaimer: This page provides general informational summaries only and does not constitute legal advice. AI-generated content may contain errors. Always consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Read full disclaimer →
This bill regulates AI in health care, ensuring it does not replace professional judgment, mandates disclaimers for AI communications, and allows AI use for non-judgmental tasks like documentation.
If you operate a health facility using AI for patient communications, you must include disclaimers and ensure AI does not replace professional judgment.
State
California
Bill Number
AB 1979
Status
In Committee
Risk Level
High
Category
Comprehensive
Last Action
Jun 3, 2026
Last Verified
May 28, 2026
Data Updated
Jun 5, 2026
What do these statuses mean?▼
Introduced— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
AB 1979 aims to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in health care settings in California. It prohibits AI from replacing professional judgment, mandates disclaimers for AI communications, and requires licensed health care professionals to exercise independent professional judgment when reviewing and approving clinical decisions based on AI outputs. Health facilities and clinics must comply with these new requirements to avoid penalties, expanding the scope of a crime and increasing compliance burdens. The bill authorizes professional licensing boards to pursue injunctions or restraining orders specifically to enforce provisions related to unlicensed practice. Additionally, the bill specifies that no reimbursement is required for local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by this act.
Key Provisions
Prohibits AI from replacing professional judgment of licensed health care professionals.
Requires disclaimers for AI-generated patient communications.
Mandates licensed health care professionals to exercise independent professional judgment when reviewing and approving clinical decisions based on AI outputs.
Deems businesses offering healthcare chatbots as providers of health care subject to the CMIA.
Allows AI use for documentation and communication that does not involve professional judgment, such as automated messages about health record updates.
Empowers licensing boards to enforce compliance through injunctions or restraining orders related to unlicensed practice.
Expands the scope of crimes related to health care practice violations by imposing new requirements on health facilities and clinics.
No reimbursement required for local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by this act.
Latest Legislative Action
Referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P. and HEALTH.
Bill Sponsors
Name
Role
Bonta
Author
Compliance Checklist
Include disclaimers for AI-generated communications. Who: Health facilities, clinics, and physician offices. Penalty: Potential legal action for non-compliance.
Ensure AI does not replace professional judgment. Who: Health facilities, clinics, and physician offices. Penalty: Potential legal action for non-compliance.
AB 1979 establishes clear regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in health care services in California. It prohibits health facilities, clinics, and physician offices from using AI to replace the professional judgment of licensed health care professionals. Additionally, any AI-generated communications related to patient clinical information must include a disclaimer indicating that the communication was generated by AI, along with instructions for contacting a human provider. The bill mandates that licensed health care professionals exercise independent professional judgment when reviewing and approving clinical decisions based on AI outputs. The bill deems a business offering a healthcare chatbot to be a provider of health care subject to the CMIA. Furthermore, the bill allows for the use of AI in documentation and communication that does not involve professional judgment, such as automated messages about health record updates. This distinction is crucial for compliance, as it delineates acceptable uses of AI in health care settings. The bill authorizes professional licensing boards to pursue injunctions or restraining orders specifically to enforce provisions related to unlicensed practice. The bill expands the scope of what constitutes a crime under existing law by imposing new requirements on health facilities and clinics, thereby increasing the compliance burden. Furthermore, the bill states that no reimbursement is required for local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by this act, which may affect how local entities budget for compliance. Overall, AB 1979 represents a significant step in regulating the intersection of AI technology and health care, ensuring that patient care remains a priority while integrating new technologies.
We use cookies for analytics to understand how visitors use this site. We also use essential cookies for site functionality.
See our Privacy Policy for details.