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SB-579 • 2026

Mental health and artificial intelligence working group.

Mental health and artificial intelligence working group.

Education Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Padilla
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

It is unclear how many people will be part of the working group or their exact roles.

Mental Health and AI Working Group

This law requires the Secretary of Government Operations to create a working group by July 1, 2026, to study how artificial intelligence can be used in mental health care.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Secretary of Government Operations to appoint a working group by July 1, 2026, to evaluate issues related to AI's role in mental health settings.
  • The working group must gather input from stakeholder groups such as health organizations and academic institutions.
  • The working group is required to hold at least three public meetings.
  • The working group needs to produce a report of its findings by July 1, 2028, for the Legislature.
  • A follow-up report is requested by January 1, 2030.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Secretary of Government Operations who will appoint members of the working group.
  • Health organizations and academic institutions that provide input to the working group.
  • People interested in mental health care and AI technology who can attend public meetings.

Terms To Know

Working Group
A team of people brought together to study a specific topic or issue.
Stakeholder Groups
Groups that have an interest in the outcome, such as health organizations and schools.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens after July 1, 2031.
  • It is unclear how many people will be part of the working group or their exact roles.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  3. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  4. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    April 21 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-04 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 21.

  6. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  7. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 531.) (March 25).

  8. 2025-03-07 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing March 25.

  9. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on G.O.

  10. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  11. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 579, as amended, Padilla.
Mental health and artificial intelligence working group.
Existing law establishes the Government Operations Agency, which consists of several state entities, including,
but not limited to,
among others,
the State Personnel Board, the Department of General Services, and the Office of Administrative Law. Under existing law, the Government Operations Agency is under the direction of an executive officer known as the Secretary of Government Operations, who is appointed by, and holds office at the pleasure of, the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
This bill would require the secretary, by July 1, 2026, to appoint a mental health and artificial intelligence working group, as specified, that would
evaluate certain issues to determine the role of artificial intelligence in mental health settings. The bill would require the working group to take input from various stakeholder groups, including health organizations and academic
institutions.
institutions, and conduct at least 3 public meetings.
The bill would require the working group to produce a report of its findings to the Legislature by July 1,
2028.
2028, and issue a followup report by January 1, 2030, as specified. The bill would repeal its provisions on July 1, 2031.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF