What SB 903 does
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, September 4, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Padilla introduced SB 903 on . The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 8 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 19, 2026: 39 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 31, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, April 13, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection], 11-0.
- Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, April 20, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 8-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass, 7-0.
- Assembly Business and Professions, June 16, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy and Consumer Protection], 17-0.
- Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection, July 1, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 14-1.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass., 13-0.
Who supports and opposes SB 903
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 52 organizations in support and 7 in opposition. When Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 30 in support and 4 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 30, 2026 it was 52 to 7.
In support: National United Healthcare Workers (sponsor); California Board of Psychology (sponsor); California Behavioral Health Association (sponsor); California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (sponsor); Alameda Labor Council; Alliance for Children’s Rights; Association of Community Human Services Agency; Board of Registered Nursing; and 44 more.
Opposed: Ata Action; California Chamber of Commerce; California Hospital Association; California Medical Association; Technet; Teladoc Health, Inc; Timelycare.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
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 health care organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The health care group at Capitol Axis handles that for health care clients.
Questions about SB 903
What does SB 903 do?
SB 903 concerns mental health professionals: artificial intelligence. See the Legislative Counsel's Digest on leginfo for the full summary.
Has SB 903 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 903?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 52 organizations in support and 7 in opposition. Supporters include National United Healthcare Workers (sponsor); California Board of Psychology (sponsor); California Behavioral Health Association (sponsor). Opponents include Ata Action; California Chamber of Commerce; California Hospital Association.
What happens next with SB 903?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, 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.