California bill would restrict AI chatbots in mental health treatment
California lawmakers have proposed limits on the use of AI "therapists" in mental health care. Several other states are also weighing guardrails as teenagers turn to chatbots.
Who is affected and how
- doctor
- For psychiatrists and psychologists, it could set a legal framework for when a chatbot may be recommended as a supplement to therapy.
- health IT
- Companies offering mental health chatbots would have to adapt their products to the proposed ban and restrictions.
- health policy
- State-level action points to a gap in federal regulation.
Sources
- California pitches bill to block use of artificial intelligence chatbots in mental health treatmentcanadian lawyer · Aug 6, 2026
- California weighs bill to limit AI therapist chatbotscalmatters.org · Aug 6, 2026
- California Bill Would Restrict AI in Therapy and Mental Health Triageground.news · Aug 7, 2026
- California bill would regulate use of AI for therapysan.com · Aug 8, 2026
- California lawmakers try to set limits on AI 'therapists' | AP Newsapnews.com · Aug 6, 2026
- As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits | The Seattle Timesseattletimes.com · Aug 6, 2026
- As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - WFMJwfmj.producer.immergo.tv · Aug 6, 2026
- As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - Los Angeles Timeslatimes.com · Aug 9, 2026
Machine-generated summary based on the titles and excerpts of the source articles. The source article is the authority for the facts. News monitoring, not medical advice: consult a doctor for health decisions.