Assembly panel advances bill to curb AI chatbots that market themselves as therapists

The Assembly Business and Professions Committee advanced SB 903, sending the bill to the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.

The measure, carried by Sen. Padilla, would restrict artificial-intelligence chatbots from advertising themselves as therapists or independently providing psychotherapy without oversight from licensed professionals, according to the committee record.

The hearing included testimony from Maria Rain, who said her son Adam died by suicide after interactions with ChatGPT. Supporters from behavioral health, nursing, psychology and labor groups framed SB 903 as a consumer-protection and licensure bill. Opponents including the California Hospital Association, the California Medical Association, ATA Action and TechNet opposed the measure unless amended.

Committee members expressed support for adding guardrails around AI systems used in mental-health settings as the bill moved ahead. The available record does not include the final vote tally or the exact amendment language adopted.