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California Healthcare AI Compliance Checker

Trusted by California healthcare organizations to navigate AB 489 and AB 3030. Get your free compliance score and actionable report in minutes.

Question 1 of 100% Complete

Does your AI system interact directly with patients via text, voice, or video?

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2026 State Regulatory Hub

Mental Health Chatbots

California law strictly prohibits mental health chatbots from simulating human conversation for the purpose of obtaining professional care without clear, prominent disclosure. If your AI offers therapeutic support, it must explicitly state it is an AI and cannot replace a licensed therapist.

AI Radiology Reports

Radiology AI tools are now classified as "Clinical Decision Support" under AB 489. This means they cannot autonomously finalize a diagnosis. Every AI-generated report must be reviewed and countersigned by a licensed radiologist. The software must also maintain an immutable audit trail showing the original AI output versus the final human-edited report, ensuring full transparency in the diagnostic chain of custody.

Virtual Nursing Assistants

Virtual nursing avatars must strictly avoid using protected titles like "Nurse" or "RN" unless there is a licensed professional directly controlling the interaction in real-time. AB 489 prohibits the use of white coats or stethoscopes in the avatar design if it implies medical licensure. These assistants are limited to administrative tasks and basic triage unless supervised by a human clinician.

Dental AI

AI used in dentistry for caries detection or orthodontic planning must be validated against a diverse dataset to prevent racial bias, a key focus of 2026 regulatory updates. Dental AI tools must provide a confidence score with every detection and cannot be the sole basis for a treatment plan. Dentists are required to verify AI findings before presenting them to the patient.

Pharmacy AI

Pharmacy AI systems used for drug interaction checking or dosage recommendations must have a "Pharmacist in the Loop" for all high-risk prescriptions. AB 3030 specifically targets generative AI used in patient counseling, requiring that any medication advice generated by AI be reviewed for accuracy to prevent hallucinations that could lead to adverse drug events.

What is California AB 489?

California Assembly Bill 489 (AB 489), alongside AB 3030, represents a landmark shift in how artificial intelligence is regulated within the healthcare sector. Enacted to protect patient safety and ensure transparency, these laws mandate that any AI system interacting with patients must clearly disclose its non-human nature. Furthermore, they establish strict guidelines on the "practice of medicine" by algorithms, ensuring that critical healthcare decisions remain under human supervision.

For developers and healthcare providers, understanding AB 489 is not just about avoiding fines—it's about building trust. The legislation requires that AI tools do not misrepresent themselves as licensed professionals (e.g., using "Dr." or "MD" titles) and that patients always have a clear, accessible path to a human provider.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The penalties for failing to comply with California's AI medical laws in 2026 are severe. Regulatory bodies have been granted the authority to impose substantial fines per violation. Beyond financial penalties, non-compliant entities risk losing their license to operate within the state.

Additionally, there is a significant reputational risk. In an era where patient data privacy and trust are paramount, being flagged for non-compliance can lead to a loss of patient confidence and potential class-action lawsuits. Ensuring your AI system is compliant is a critical risk management strategy.

How to use this tool

Our 2026 California AI Medical Compliance Checker is designed to provide a preliminary assessment of your system's adherence to current laws.

  1. Answer Honestly: Go through the 10-question logic flow. The questions cover key areas such as patient interaction, data privacy, and human oversight.
  2. Review Your Score: At the end of the assessment, you will receive a Compliance Score (0-100%). A score below 80% indicates significant areas for improvement.
  3. Follow the Action Plan: We provide a personalized Action Plan highlighting specific red flags. Use this to guide your development team or legal counsel in making necessary adjustments.

Disclaimer: This tool provides an educational assessment and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific compliance obligations.