Insights

On September 30, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” into law, effective July 1, 2027. The law prohibits California employers from relying solely on AI or other automated decision systems (ADS) to discipline or terminate employees, and requires meaningful human review and written notice to affected workers when such tools play a primary role in those decisions. Employers using AI-driven workforce management tools should begin compliance planning now.

On September 9, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 813 and AB 1405, creating the nation’s first regulatory framework for AI auditors. And on September 18, Gov. Newsom signed Executive Order N-9-26 (Order) which moved up by about a year some of the implementation deadlines for SB 813 and AB 1405 and convened an expert group to recommend how the Golden State can strengthen existing AI safety laws.