California AI Transparency Act Becomes Operative After a Seven-Month Delay

Business and Professions Code Chapter 25, the California AI Transparency Act, became operative on August 2, 2026 under Section 22757.6. The date is not the one SB 942 set: as enacted in 2024 the bill provided that "this chapter shall become operative on January 1, 2026," and AB 853 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 674) amended Section 22757.6 before that date arrived, moving the chapter-wide operative date to August 2, 2026. Covered providers with generative-AI systems exceeding 1,000,000 monthly visitors or users that are publicly accessible in California must now make a free AI detection tool available under Section 22757.2 and include manifest and latent disclosures in AI-generated image, video, and audio content under Section 22757.3, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation under Section 22757.4 with each day treated as a discrete violation. Three duties AB 853 added start later: large online platform and GenAI system hosting platform duties on January 1, 2027 under Sections 22757.3.1 and 22757.3.2, and capture device manufacturer duties on January 1, 2028 under Section 22757.3.3. Codified chapter text and SB 942 bill text retrieved 2026-08-13.

Related: California AI Transparency Act

Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov