California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, a measure that would have barred AI algorithms from offering or advertising therapy in the state.
According to an Oct. 1 news release from state Sen. Steve Padilla, the bill would have:
- Allowed licensed professionals to use AI only for limited administrative or supplementary support
- Required clear disclosure and affirmative consent before AI could record or transcribe therapy sessions
- Barred AI from independently interacting with clients, making therapeutic decisions, detecting emotions or generating treatment plans without professional review
- Required therapy records to remain confidential
- Authorized the appropriate licensing board to enforce the provisions
In the release, Mr. Padilla said the governor’s veto message argued the bill’s protections for patients and clinicians “go too far.”
SB 903 passed the Senate unanimously and the Assembly 71-4. Mr. Padilla plans to reintroduce legislation in the coming legislative session to ban unlicensed chatbots from providing therapy.
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