California lawmakers are working to regulate the use of AI chatbots in mental health care with Senate Bill 903.
Introduced by Sen. Steve Padilla, the bill seeks to ban the advertising of chatbots as therapy tools and restrict their use in formal health settings. This comes as the popularity of chatbots for mental health advice has surged over the past two years.
The bill would prohibit AI from making therapeutic decisions without oversight from a licensed professional and require health providers to obtain patient consent before using AI in therapy sessions. According to CalMatters, the bill is supported by professional associations and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, who argue that it is necessary to protect consumers and professionals from the unchecked use of AI.
However, there is opposition from tech industry representatives like TechNet, who argue that the bill could limit beneficial uses of AI in healthcare. State Affairs reports that Padilla emphasizes the need to balance AI’s potential with its risks, ensuring that AI does not replace licensed clinicians in providing psychotherapy.
The urgency of the bill is underscored by wrongful death lawsuits in California, where AI chatbots are accused of contributing to suicides. SB 903 aims to prevent AI from practicing psychotherapy, a role legally reserved for licensed professionals. The bill is currently awaiting its next vote in the Assembly’s fiscal committee.
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