Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
Health facilities, clinics, physician's offices and group practices that use generative AI to produce patient communications about clinical information must add an AI disclaimer and instructions for reaching a human. For chat-based online interactions the disclaimer must be shown throughout; for audio, said at the start and end; for video, shown throughout. Communications read and reviewed by a licensed provider are exempt.
Who must comply
Health facilities, clinics, physician's offices and offices of group practices that use generative AI to generate written or verbal patient communications about patient clinical information (information about a patient's health status, not scheduling, billing or other administrative matters). The law covers all such communications (letters, emails, chat, audio, video); only the interaction-based rules are described here.
What it requires
| AI disclosure | The communication must carry a disclaimer that it was generated by AI, plus clear instructions on how to reach a human health care provider or employee. In continuous online interactions (including chat-based telehealth) the disclaimer must be displayed throughout; audio communications must give it verbally at the start and end; video must display it throughout.When: Throughout chat/online and video interactions; at start and end of audio interactions§ 1339.75(a) |
|---|---|
| Other duties | Exempt if the AI-generated communication is read and reviewed by a human licensed or certified health care provider.§ 1339.75(b) |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Health facility licensing enforcement (Health & Safety Code art. 3 commencing § 1275), Clinic licensing enforcement (art. 3 commencing § 1225) and Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board (physicians)§ 1339.75(d) |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | Not stated |
| Penalties | No dollar amount in the section; violations are enforced through the licensing enforcement mechanisms listed. |
Key dates
- The law takes effect
Related laws
- California AB 489AI posing as a licensed health professionalIn effect since Jan. 1, 2026
Note
This law covers AI-generated messages to patients in any form, including chat. It is listed here because it applies to patient-facing chatbots.
Sources
- AB 3030 (status), California Legislative Information Supports: Approved Sept 28, 2024; Chapter 848.
- AB 3030 (text), California Legislative Information Supports: Disclaimer rules by medium, exemption, enforcement.
- AB 489 (text), California Legislative Information Supports: Digest describes the same disclaimer duty as existing law.
- 2026 legislative calendar, California State Senate (official) Supports: Non-urgency statutes take effect Jan. 1 (Cal. Const. art. IV, sec. 8(c)); Aug 31, 2026 last day to pass bills; Sept 30 signing deadline.