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Committee approves bill banning AI systems from claiming to be licensed health professionals
Summary
AB 489 would prohibit an AI system from representing itself as a licensed health professional and hold developers or deployers responsible; the Senate committee advanced the measure to the Judiciary Committee with broad stakeholder support and no recorded opposition in the hearing.
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 23 voted to refer AB 489, authored by Assemblymember Bonta, to the Senate Judiciary Committee after broad support from health-care groups and labor organizations.
Assemblymember Bonta said AB 489 extends existing title protections for licensed health professionals to AI systems, prohibiting an AI agent from misrepresenting itself as a doctor, nurse, psychologist or other licensed provider. The bill would also make developers and deployers accountable for ensuring that an AI system does not impersonate licensed professionals.
Supporters included SEIU California, the California Medical Association, Kaiser Permanente, the California Nurses Association and numerous specialty societies and associations. Matt Leger (SEIU) and George Soares (California Medical Association) testified that patients rely on professional training and that misrepresentation by AI could undermine trust and public safety.
Committee members asked about potential liability for developers versus deployers and whether the bill would affect licensed practitioners using AI in their own practice. Sponsors said the measure is focused on AI that represents itself as a licensed provider; the text as introduced is silent on how licensed practitioners’ use of AI in clinical decision-making would be treated and that additional committees (Judiciary) would address liability and scope.
The committee called the roll and moved the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee; the clerk recorded the item as passed with sufficient votes and the item was placed on call for clerical confirmation. No formal opposition presented in the hearing.
