What AB 1898 does
An act to add Part 5.9 (commencing with Section 1600) to Division 2 of the Labor Code, relating to employment.
Existing law establishes the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement within the Department of Industrial Relations to administer and enforce various laws relating to employment and working conditions.
This bill would require an employer to provide a written notice to a worker that a workplace AI tool, as defined, was used to assist the employer in making employment-related decisions or to surveil workers in the workplace. The bill would require the notice to be given to a worker within a specified time and would require the notice to contain specified information, including the specific employment-related decisions likely to be affected by the use of the workplace AI tool. The bill would require an employer to maintain an updated list of all workplace AI tools currently in use and their impact on jobs, as specified, and to provide the list to workers annually. The bill would provide for enforcement by the Labor Commissioner or a public prosecutor, and alternatively would authorize any worker who has suffered damages, or their exclusive representative, to file a civil action for damages caused by the adverse action. The bill would establish remedies and penalties for violations, including a penalty of up to $500 for each violation.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended assembly text, March 20, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Schultz introduced AB 1898 on February 12, 2026. The text was amended 2 times, and heard in 4 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Labor and Employment, March 18, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy and Consumer Protection], 7-0.
- Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection, March 25, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary], 10-3.
Who supports and opposes AB 1898
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection analysis dated March 23, 2026 lists 19 organizations in support and 79 in opposition. When Assembly Labor and Employment first listed positions on March 16, 2026, the count was 14 in support and 64 opposed. By the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection analysis of March 23, 2026 it was 19 to 79.
In support: California Federation of Labor Unions, Afl-cio (sponsor); American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Afl-cio California; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Afl-cio; California Conference Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union; California Conference of Machinists; California Faculty Association; California Federation of Teachers Afl-cio; California Nurses Association; and 11 more.
Opposed: Acclamation Insurance Management Services; Allied Managed Care; American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association Apca; Anaheim Chamber of Commerce; Associaiton of California School Administrators; Associated Builders and Contractors of California; Associated General Contractors of California; Associated General Contractors San Diego; and 71 more.
Read the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection analysis.
What happens next
It is in Assembly Appropriations. The last recorded action was on May 14, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for AI organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The AI group at Capitol Axis handles that for AI clients.
Questions about AB 1898
What does AB 1898 do?
This bill would require an employer to provide a written notice to a worker that a workplace AI tool, as defined, was used to assist the employer in making employment-related decisions or to surveil workers in the workplace. The bill would require the notice to be given to a worker within a specified time and would require the notice to contain specified information, including the specific employment-related decisions likely to be affected by the use of the workplace AI tool. The bill would require an employer to maintain an updated list of all workplace AI tools currently in use and their imp
Has AB 1898 passed the California Legislature?
It is in Assembly Appropriations. The last recorded action was on May 14, 2026.
Who supports and opposes AB 1898?
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection analysis dated March 23, 2026 lists 19 organizations in support and 79 in opposition. Supporters include California Federation of Labor Unions, Afl-cio (sponsor); American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Afl-cio California; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Afl-cio. Opponents include Acclamation Insurance Management Services; Allied Managed Care; American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association Apca.
What happens next with AB 1898?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.