California2026Active
AB-1018
Rules for Automated Decision Systems
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 7:05 AM
In one sentence
This law regulates computer systems using AI or data analytics that help replace human judgment in decisions affecting people, requiring testing and giving individuals a way to appeal those decisions.
What it does
- Defines an automated decision system as a computational process using machine learning, statistical modeling, data analytics, or artificial intelligence that issues simplified output like scores or recommendations to assist or replace human decision-making in ways that materially impact people.
- Requires developers of these systems to conduct performance evaluations and impact assessments before transferring them to users.
- Mandates that starting January 1, 2027, organizations must tell individuals when a system made a consequential decision about them and allow those individuals an opportunity to appeal the result as prescribed by future rules.
- Orders developers, deployers, or auditors to give unedited copies of their test results and impact assessments to the Attorney General within 30 days if asked.
- Keeps these specific reports private so they cannot be requested under public records laws.
Who it affects
- Developers who build automated decision systems used for consequential decisions.
- Organizations or agencies that use these systems to make choices about people.
- Individuals who are the subject of a consequential decision made by an automated system.
- The California Attorney General, who can request reports and file civil lawsuits against those who break the rules.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not specify exactly which types of decisions count as 'consequential' beyond stating they must materially impact natural persons.
- Details on how appeals and disclosures must be handled are described only as being done in a way that is prescribed by future rules or regulations.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Automated Decision System (ADS)
- A computational process using machine learning, statistical modeling, data analytics, or artificial intelligence that issues simplified output like a score, classification, or recommendation to assist or replace human decision-making.
- Consequential decision
- A decision made by the system that materially impacts natural persons.
- Deployer
- The organization or agency that uses an automated decision system to make decisions about people.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Automated decision systems.
Official activity
Bill history
- Senate - Second Reading