AB 1979 Health care services: artificial intelligence
Sep 20, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0071 · Published 2026-09-20 · Version 2 · Proposed
AB 1979 proposed preserving licensed clinical judgment around AI and extending CMIA treatment to defined health chatbots.
What happened
AB 1979’s retained proposal would require covered health settings to take reasonable steps so a licensed professional can exercise independent judgment when patient care is informed by a clinical decision-support system. It would prohibit AI from independently performing a function legally reserved to a licensed person or directing unlicensed personnel to perform that function. Supervised trainees working toward licensure have a stated exception. Documentation and communications that do not apply professional judgment are outside the specified clinical decision-support restrictions.
Separately, the proposal would treat a business offering a defined consumer health-care chatbot for managing health information or diagnosing, treating or managing a medical condition as a provider for CMIA purposes. That privacy classification does not license the chatbot to practice a health profession. Enforcement and licensing-board authority remain tied to the particular provision and professional scope. During this edition’s coverage the bill remained proposed, so organizations must distinguish these suggested controls from existing AI communication, privacy and professional-practice requirements.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Proposed
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks, Health-tech
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Clinical AI and chatbot vendors may face different practice and privacy questions; a CMIA classification is not clinical authorization.
Recommended action
Monitor the final law and inventory licensed-function uses, staff supervision and consumer chatbots. Assess current professional judgment, disclosure and privacy controls without assuming the proposed scope changes are already operative.
Sources
- AB 1979 Health care services: artificial intelligence, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-04 · Source review 2026-09-10
- AB 1979 Health care services: artificial intelligence, current bill text (09/01/26 - Enrolled)Official · California Legislature · 2026-09-01 · Source review 2026-09-10
Complete edition and supplemental material
This finding in the complete approved report →Regulatory horizons, CIA trends and implementation trackers remain in the full report.
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