--- title: "California bill would ban advertising chatbots as therapy" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-07T13:46:44.690Z" source_reported: "2026-08-06T18:48:50.000Z" updated: "2026-08-07T13:46:44.690Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 79 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-07T18:45:15.500311+00:00" --- # California bill would ban advertising chatbots as therapy *Senate Bill 903 targets AI tools used for mental health support without professional oversight* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Only one original report (Washington Top News) with named sources; other outlets provide digests, not independent confirmation. - Craft 79 of 100, higher is better. Provides context, quotes officials, separates facts from commentary, and reads clearly as a single story. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headline matches article content; language is measured without sensational exaggeration. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Senate Bill 903, authored by California Democrat Steve Padilla, would prohibit companies from advertising chatbots as therapy. - The bill requires licensed professional oversight for AI tools making therapeutic decisions or recording therapy sessions. - Supporters argue the legislation protects consumers and clinicians, while tech industry groups warn it could stifle innovation. - No right-rated outlet covered the story, despite its implications for AI regulation and mental healthcare access. A California bill would ban companies from advertising chatbots as therapy and restrict their use in mental healthcare without professional oversight. Senate Bill 903, authored by Sen. Steve Padilla, a Democrat from San Diego, aims to regulate AI tools that provide mental health support or advice. The legislation would prohibit AI from making therapeutic decisions without review by a licensed professional and require health providers to disclose and obtain consent before using AI to record therapy sessions or triage mental healthcare. The bill follows concerns over the rapid adoption of chatbots for mental health support, particularly among young people. A chatbot called "Psychologist," which describes itself as an expert in empathy and active listening, has become a widely cited example of the technology’s reach. OpenAI reported last year that about 1.2 million users a week share thoughts of suicide on its platform, prompting the company to direct them to professional help. Supporters of the bill, including professional associations for psychologists and therapists, argue it is necessary to protect consumers from inaccurate or harmful advice. The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which backs the legislation, recently filed a complaint against Kaiser Permanente for allegedly using an automated algorithm in mental health triaging. Opponents, such as TechNet, a tech industry group, claim the bill could limit beneficial uses of AI and restrict access to mental healthcare tools. ## What the coverage left out No right-rated outlet ran the story at all. None of the digests or reports mentioned the specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms that would be introduced by Senate Bill 903. The full reports from the Associated Press and Washington Top News did not include a response from Kaiser Permanente regarding the complaint filed by the National Union of Healthcare Workers. ## Who covered it Shares of the 16 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 38% (6) - Centre: 62% (10) - Right: 0% (0) 6 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-07T18:45:15.500311+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 22 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-07T19:30:11.547Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The six left-rated digests and two full reports led on the consumer protection aspects of Senate Bill 903. The Associated Press and CalMatters, whose full reports were published, detailed the risks of unregulated chatbots, including their potential to provide inaccurate advice or mishandle crisis situations. Both quoted Le Ondra Clark Harvey, CEO of the California Behavioral Health Association, who said, "The difference between a licensed clinician and an automated response is not technical. It can be life altering." - The left-rated digests highlighted the bill’s intent to protect vulnerable users, particularly young people. The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator and The Seattle Times all included the statistic that one in eight teens and young adults use chatbots for mental health advice. The digests also noted the wrongful death lawsuits against AI chatbot makers, which the Associated Press reported are playing out in California federal courts. ### Centre - The ten centre-rated digests focused on the balance between regulation and innovation. KPBS and My Mother Lode led with the bill’s provisions, including the ban on advertising chatbots as therapy and the requirement for professional oversight. The Washington Top News full report, which was republished by several centre-rated outlets, quoted Robert Boykin of TechNet, who argued the bill could create a "clinician bottleneck" that limits access to mental healthcare tools. - The centre-rated digests also emphasised the broader context of AI’s role in mental healthcare. Lookout Local Santa Cruz and Palo Alto Online included details about the popularity of chatbots for companionship and therapy, noting that research shows these are the top uses of AI tools. The digests framed the debate as one between consumer protections and the potential for AI to expand access to care, particularly in areas with shortages of behavioural healthcare workers. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 7 - unknown: 8 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Blick](https://blick.ch/schweiz/ki-prueft-dein-arbeitszeugnis-auf-vollstaendigkeit-und-kritische-formulierungen-darum-ist-der-beobachter-chatbot-besser-als-chatgpt-und-co-id22163147.html) — So the "Observer" AI Chatbot Checks Your Work Certificate - [LexBlog](https://lexblog.com/2026/08/06/ai-therapists-draw-state-scrutiny-as-mental-health-chatbot-use-surges) — AI “Therapists” Draw State Scrutiny as Mental Health Chatbot Use Surges - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/state/11048407/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Lompoc Record](https://lompocrecord.com/news/calmatters/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/article_2989290d-b249-5e06-9467-a72ca7b693d9.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/article_4b2d84a8-f471-5cce-a55f-4080df1e55e9.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/california-chatbots-therapy-ai-health-regulations-q30586) — As AI 'therapists' dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/california-chatbots-therapy-ai-health-regulations-438eaaa4afc617153aa83acc150b9bda) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Henry Herald](https://henryherald.com/news/world_nation/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/article_4f2d8eb5-5be2-509c-993c-5cc832063784.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Lookout Local Santa Cruz](https://lookout.co/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/story) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [KPBS](https://kpbs.org/news/health/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/life/health-wellness/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/article_2ded0994-4914-5f45-aab9-06d98337f5a4.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/life/health-wellness/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits/article_edd73dfc-ff1e-5d20-bd78-b54b4e5f0e95.html) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Cal Matters](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2026/08/at-therapists-chatbot-mental-health) — As AI 'therapists' dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Palo Alto Online](https://paloaltoonline.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Danville San Ramon](https://danvillesanramon.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Mountain View Voice](https://mv-voice.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [Redwood City Pulse](https://rwcpulse.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [pleasantonweekly.com](https://pleasantonweekly.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits - [The Almanac](https://almanacnews.com/calmatters/2026/08/06/as-ai-therapists-dish-out-advice-california-lawmakers-try-to-set-some-limits) — As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits ## Questions **What does Senate Bill 903 do?** Senate Bill 903 would ban companies from advertising chatbots as therapy in California. It would also prohibit AI from making therapeutic decisions without review by a licensed professional and require health providers to disclose and obtain consent before using AI to record therapy sessions or triage mental healthcare. **Why are lawmakers proposing this bill?** Lawmakers argue the bill is needed to protect consumers from inaccurate or harmful advice provided by unregulated chatbots. Supporters, including professional associations and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, say AI tools cannot replace licensed clinicians, particularly in crisis situations. **What are the arguments against the bill?** Opponents, such as TechNet, a tech industry group, argue the bill could stifle innovation and limit access to mental healthcare tools. They claim it creates a "clinician bottleneck" that may restrict the use of AI for intake and screening, particularly in areas with shortages of behavioural healthcare workers. **Which outlets covered the story?** Six left-rated outlets and ten centre-rated outlets ran the story, including the Associated Press and Washington Top News, which published full reports. No right-rated outlet covered the bill, despite its implications for AI regulation and mental healthcare access. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "California bill would ban advertising chatbots as therapy", https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bill-would-ban-advertising-chatbots-as-therapy