A bill backed by the California Medical Association (CMA) to address concerns about artificial intelligence in health care has cleared the state Legislature and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Assembly Bill 489, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, seeks to prevent artificial intelligence systems from being presented as licensed medical professionals. The legislation also gives California’s state health professions boards, including the Medical Board of California and the Board of Registered Nursing, clear authority to enforce title protections for health care workers. The bill’s goal is to ensure that new technologies in health care protect patient safety and maintain trust between patients and providers.
“Patient trust is the cornerstone of medicine, and AB 489 helps preserve that trust in an era of rapidly advancing technology,” said CMA President Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D. “By ensuring patients know when they are interacting with artificial intelligence systems rather than a licensed clinician, this bill safeguards transparency, accountability and the integrity of medical care. CMA thanks Assemblymember Bonta for championing this vital protection.”
Recent reports have highlighted incidents where AI chatbots posed as licensed clinicians and provided potentially unsafe or inaccurate advice. AB 489 aims to introduce safeguards so that AI tools are used transparently and responsibly within health care settings.
The measure received broad legislative support, passing with 39 yes votes in the Senate and 79 yes votes in the Assembly. Supporters say this outcome demonstrates CMA’s ongoing commitment to using new technology to enhance—rather than compromise—the quality and safety of patient care.
