WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11546.45.5 of the Government Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(a)" or "AI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11546.45.5 of the Government Code.
(b) "Generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" or "GenAI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11549.64 of the Government Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(b)" or "GenAI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11549.64 of the Government Code.
(c) "Health care professionHealth care profession"Health care profession" means any profession that is the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(c)" means any profession that is the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division.
Section 4999.8 establishes three definitions governing the chapter. Artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence are defined by cross-reference to existing Government Code provisions. Health care profession is defined broadly to encompass any profession licensed or regulated under Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code or any initiative act referenced therein, giving the chapter wide applicability across all healing arts disciplines.
(a)(1)–(3) A violation of this chapter is subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate health care professional licensing board or enforcement agency. (2) The appropriate health care professional licensing board may pursue an injunction or restraining order to enforce the provisions of this chapter, as authorized by Section 125.5. (3) Nothing in this section limits the authority for a health care professional licensing board or enforcement agency to pursue any remedy otherwise authorized under the law.
(b) 1 Any provision of this division that prohibits the use of specified terms, letters, or phrases to indicate or imply possession of a license or certificate to practice a health care professionHealth care profession"Health care profession" means any profession that is the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(c), without at that time having the appropriate license or certificate required for that practice or profession, shall be enforceable against a person or entity who develops or deploys a system or device that uses one or more of those terms, letters, or phrases in the advertising or functionality of an artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11546.45.5 of the Government Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(a) or generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" or "GenAI" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 11549.64 of the Government Code.Bus. & Prof. Code § 4999.8(b) system, program, device, or similar technology.
(c) 2 The use of a term, letter, or phrase in the advertising or functionality of an AI or GenAI system, program, device, or similar technology that indicates or implies that the care, advice, reports, or assessments being offered through the AI or GenAI technology is being provided by a natural person in possession of the appropriate license or certificate to practice as a health care professional, is prohibited.
(d) Each use of a prohibited term, letter, or phrase shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter.
Section 4999.9 is the operative heart of the bill. It accomplishes two things. First, it extends existing healing arts title-protection statutes — which prohibit unlicensed natural persons from using professional terms, letters, or phrases implying licensure — to persons or entities that develop or deploy AI or GenAI systems using those same terms in their advertising or functionality. Second, it independently prohibits AI or GenAI technology from using any term, letter, or phrase that indicates or implies the care, advice, reports, or assessments it offers are being provided by a licensed human professional.
Enforcement is placed with the appropriate health care professional licensing board, which may pursue injunctive relief under Business and Professions Code § 125.5. Each use of a prohibited term constitutes a separate violation, amplifying potential exposure for systems that generate repeated outputs containing professional titles or licensure language.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
This is a standard state-mandated local program reimbursement disclaimer. Because the bill expands existing crimes, the state is not required to reimburse local agencies or school districts for any resulting costs under Article XIII B, Section 6 of the California Constitution.