California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the SB 947 bill, titled the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026. The legislation prohibits employers from using artificial intelligence as the sole basis for termination or disciplinary actions against employees.
Under the new law, employers must involve a human supervisor to review AI-generated decisions. This review process requires incorporating additional data, such as management evaluations, peer feedback, and personnel records, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
Employees affected by AI-driven decisions must receive written notification detailing the algorithm's role. The notice must include a list of personal data used by the system and contact information for a human representative responsible for explaining the outcome.
The bill was authored by State Senator Jerry McNerney and received support from the California Federation of Labor Unions. Newsom had previously vetoed an earlier version in 2025 due to concerns over notification requirements, which were subsequently narrowed.
The final version of the law excludes gig economy workers and removes prior notification mandates. Enforcement of the act will be managed by the state labor commissioner, the attorney general, and local prosecutors, marking a significant shift in AI workplace regulation.
