Record STMT-WF07C9DLegally binding

Senate Bill No. 896

Senate Bill No. 896 CHAPTER 928

Legislation State lawNorthern America · USadopted

The Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act establishes requirements for California state agencies regarding the use and procurement of generative artificial intelligence. It mandates updates to the state's AI report, requires the Office of Emergency Services to perform risk analyses on threats to critical infrastructure, and requires state agencies utilizing GenAI for direct communications about services and benefits to provide clear disclaimers and human contact information.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

California State LegislatureLegislature · US

Lead issuer

Office of the Governor of CaliforniaGovernment (executive) · US

Endorser

Legal forceLegally binding

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Public sector bodiesGeneral publicNational governmentState or provincial government

This document is for California state agencies, public sector employees, and residents interacting with state government services supported by generative artificial intelligence.

Sectors

Public administration · state government operations and services

What the document contains

What's covered

The document addresses the governance, procurement, risk analysis, and transparency requirements for generative artificial intelligence used by California state agencies and departments. It defines key terms such as artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence, mandates critical infrastructure risk analyses, and outlines specific disclaimer and human contact requirements for state communications.

What's missing

The text does not include private sector regulatory mandates beyond state procurement policies, nor does it establish civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Key takeaways

The legislation enacts the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act for the State of California.
State agencies must update existing AI reports, consult with experts, and consider enterprise use opportunities for GenAI.
The Office of Emergency Services is required to perform risk analyses of potential threats posed by GenAI to California's critical infrastructure.
State agencies using GenAI to communicate directly with individuals regarding services and benefits must include prominent disclaimers.
State communications generated by GenAI must provide information on how individuals can contact a human state employee.

Principles it states

fairnesstransparencyprivacyaccountabilityequitysocial justice

Outline

· Section 1. Title
· Section 2. Addition of Chapter 5.9 to Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code
  - 11549.63. Legislative findings and declarations
  - 11549.64. Definitions
  - 11549.65. Agency updates, risk analyses, and procurement
  - 11549.66. Communication disclaimers and human contact options

Issued29 September 2024

Length1,678 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopesubnational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

This bill, the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, would, among other things, require the Department of Technology, under the guidance of the Government Operations Agency, the Office of Data and Innovation, and the Department of Human Resources, to update the report

Legislative Counsel's Digest

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

No individual or group should be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic in the design, development, deployment, or use of AI systems.

Section 11549.63(c)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

The Legislature recognizes that the use of GenAI systems must be consistent with the protection of privacy and civil liberties and must be guided by a commitment to equity and social justice.

Section 11549.63(e)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Information, or a link to an internet website containing information, describing how the person may contact a human employee of the state agency or department.

Section 11549.66(b)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

3/5

Protection of personal data and private life

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this legislation that all GenAI systems be designed and deployed in a manner that is consistent with state and federal laws and regulations regarding privacy and civil liberties

Section 11549.63(e)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

A disclaimer that indicates to the person that the communication was generated by GenAI.

Section 11549.66(a)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

A state agency or department that utilizes GenAI to directly communicate with a person regarding government services and benefits shall ensure that those communications include both of the following

Section 11549.66

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

The Office of Emergency Services shall, as appropriate, perform a risk analysis of potential threats posed by the use of GenAI to California’s critical infrastructure, including those that could lead to mass casualty events.

Section 11549.65(b)(1)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

artificial_intelligence generative_ai accountability public_administration transparency