Nearly one-third of Californians live in areas with shortages of mental health providers, pushing many individuals toward AI chatbot tools marketed as therapy alternatives. However, AI "therapists" lack clinical judgment, ethical responsibility, and human understanding that are required for safe mental health treatment, and patients are at great risk.

As social work students entering the mental health field, it is important to us that we ensure our clients are receiving adequate and appropriate mental health services. This includes protecting our clients’ right to privacy, given the sensitivity of mental health information, and ensuring the care they receive lives up to the code of ethics we as clinicians follow. 

SB 903 will:

• Protect patient safety in mental health by requiring licensed clinician oversight.
• Address risks of AI-driven therapy, such as incorrect recommendations and missed emotional cues.
• Strengthen privacy and data protections - your consent matters!
• Maintain ethical standards in therapeutic care delivery.
• Allow responsible, limited use of AI - AI can support therapy, but it cannot make clinical decisions!
• Prevent misleading advertising of “AI therapists” without licensed clinician oversight.
• Establish enforcement and accountability.

For More Information on SB 903:

• SB 903 Text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB903
• Senator Padilla’s Website: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/
• Summary of Actions: https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/SB903/2025