Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 489 into law, a measure designed to protect patients from artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could mislead them by appearing to be licensed medical professionals. The bill was sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA) and grants state health professions boards explicit authority to enforce title protections against developers and operators of such AI technologies.
Assemblymember Mia Bonta authored the legislation in response to concerns about AI chatbots potentially confusing or deceiving patients seeking medical advice. The law aims to ensure that new healthcare technologies are implemented in ways that maintain patient safety, support trust between patients and physicians, and uphold the standards of the medical profession.
CMA President Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D., stated: “The passage of AB 489 is a critical victory for patient safety and transparency. In an era of rapidly advancing technology, it is essential that patients know when they are interacting with an AI system or a licensed human clinician. This bill safeguards the trust between patients and their doctors that forms the cornerstone of medicine, and we thank Governor Newsom for signing this vital protection into law and Assemblymember Bonta for championing this cause.”
The bill received strong legislative backing, passing with 39 votes in favor in the Senate and 79 in favor in the Assembly. Its enactment reflects CMA’s ongoing efforts to ensure technological advancements contribute positively to safe and high-quality patient care.
AB 489 was included as part of CMA’s package of sponsored bills for the 2025 legislative session.
