California AI Transparency Act (SB 942): requirements, deadlines and compliance actions
California AI Transparency Act (SB 942, as amended by AB 853)
What this label means
- Verified
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- Pending review
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- Source-linked
- — linked to the official source, not yet confirmed by a reviewer.
On this page 7 sections
In brief
The California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) is a binding act of California (United States), issued by California State Legislature. Its current status is adopted. Covered providers of generative AI systems used in California; from 2027, large online platforms and hosting platforms under AB 853.
- Jurisdiction
- California (United States)
- Instrument type
- Act / statute
- Status
- Adopted
- Legal force
- Binding
- Issuing body
- California State Legislature
- Applies from
- 2 August 2026
- Official source
- California Legislative Information: SB 942 (2023-2024)
- Verification
- Pending review · source-linked, checked 15 Oct 2026
What is the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942)?
Covered providers of generative AI systems must offer a free AI-detection tool and embed disclosures and provenance data in AI-generated content. AB 853 (Chapter 674, Statutes of 2025) moved the operative date to 2 August 2026 and added duties for large online platforms and generative-AI hosting platforms.
Status note: Recorded on 15 October 2026 from search-engine extracts of the official pages listed; the official text could not be opened from the research environment, so every date and duty here is pending review against it.
Who does it apply to?
Covered providers of generative AI systems used in California; from 2027, large online platforms and hosting platforms under AB 853.
Large generative-AI providers, and from 2027 large online platforms and generative-AI hosting platforms.
- Risk categories
- Transparency obligations
- AI system types
- Generative AI system
When do the requirements apply?
AB 853 approved 13 October 2025; provider duties operative 2 August 2026; platform duties operative 1 January 2027; one further section operative 1 January 2028.
SB 942's own chapter number and signing date were not confirmed; the code display page still shows a 1 January 2026 effective date, which appears to predate AB 853.
Official sources
-
California Legislative Information: SB 942 (2023-2024)
California Legislative Information · Tier 1 source
-
California Legislative Information: AB 853 (2025-2026) status
California Legislative Information · 13 Oct 2025 · Tier 1 source
Cite this record
AIPolicyTracker (2026). “California AI Transparency Act (SB 942)” [AIPT-POL-0207, record version 1, not yet verified]. https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0207 (accessed 21 October 2026). Data licensed CC BY 4.0.
Permanent id AIPT-POL-0207: it never changes or gets reused, and its address keeps working if this page moves.
Cite the official text alongside it: California Legislative Information: SB 942 (2023-2024), California Legislative Information, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB942.
BibTeX
@misc{aipolicytracker2026_californiaaitransparency,
author = {{AIPolicyTracker}},
title = {{California AI Transparency Act (SB 942)}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/us-california-ai-transparency-act-sb-942}},
url = {https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/us-california-ai-transparency-act-sb-942},
urldate = {2026-10-21},
note = {Data licensed CC BY 4.0. Accessed 21 October 2026}
}
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Change history
Record history
No change to this record's tracked fields has been recorded since 15 October 2026, when field-level history began.
Record version 1: Added in the October 2026 sub-national research round. Recorded on 15 October 2026 from search-engine extracts of the official pages listed; the official text could not be opened from the research environment, so every date and duty here is pending review against it. Every earlier wording is in the GitHub repository.
Frequently asked questions
Is the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) in force?
Not yet. The California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) has been adopted and applies from 2 August 2026.
Is the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) legally binding?
Yes. The California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) is a binding act / statute; the obligations it creates are legal requirements for the actors it covers.
Who does the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) apply to?
Covered providers of generative AI systems used in California; from 2027, large online platforms and hosting platforms under AB 853.
When does the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) apply?
AB 853 approved 13 October 2025; provider duties operative 2 August 2026; platform duties operative 1 January 2027; one further section operative 1 January 2028.
Where is the official text of the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942)?
The official text is published by California Legislative Information at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB942 (California Legislative Information: SB 942 (2023-2024)). This record links to it and is checked against it.
Disclaimer: informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult a qualified lawyer before acting.