California lawmakers are advancing a bill to restrict the use of AI chatbots for mental health support, as many people, including by some estimates one in eight teens and young adults, turn to these tools for advice. Sen. Steve Padilla, a San Diego Democrat and the bill’s author, said the intent is to draw a line: AI can be used for administrative purposes and to support clinicians, but it cannot practice psychotherapy. The debate has gained urgency amid wrongful death lawsuits, some in California federal courts, accusing AI chatbot makers of contributing to users’ suicides. Senate Bill 903 would ban companies from advertising chatbots as therapy, prohibit AI from making therapeutic decisions without review by a licensed professional, and require health providers to disclose and get patient permission before using AI to record therapy sessions or triage mental healthcare. The bill is backed by professional associations representing psychologists, therapists, and counselors, as well as the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which recently filed a complaint with state regulators against Kaiser Permanente over its alleged use of an automated algorithm in mental health triaging. Supporters argue the legislation protects consumers from inaccurate information or mishandled crisis situations, and protects licensed professionals from being displaced by AI.