SB 942 · §§ 22757.1, 22757.5
Who is covered by SB 942
Updated 16 October 2026. Bus. & Prof. Code, Chapter 25 (§ 22757 et seq.), as amended by AB 853, SB 1000 and AB 2713. Last change: SB 1000 and AB 2713 signed, 30 September 2026.
Produce a generative AI system the public can use in California and you are a covered provider, whatever your size.
Covered
- Covered providers of generative AI systems
- Large online platformsOver 2,000,000 monthly users in California
- GenAI hosting platforms and capture device makersAdded by AB 853, see AB 853 duties
Not covered
- Exclusively non-user-generated videogames
- Systems designed primarily as assistive technologyOnly before 1 January 2029
TV, streaming, film and interactive experiences: no longer exempt.
Statute wording§§ 22757.1, 22757.5, AB 853
A person that creates, codes or otherwise produces a generative artificial intelligence system that is publicly accessible within the geographic boundaries of California. SB 1000 deleted the former requirement that the system have over 1,000,000 monthly users.
§ 22757.1: "generative artificial intelligence system"An AI system that can generate derived synthetic content, including text, images, video and audio, that emulates the structure and characteristics of the system's training data.
§ 22757.5: exemptionsAs amended by SB 1000, the chapter does not apply to products or services that provide exclusively non-user-generated videogames, and, before 1 January 2029, to generative AI systems designed primarily as assistive technology. Television, streaming, film and interactive experiences are no longer exempt.
AB 853 additionsAB 853 added definitions and duties for a "large online platform" (a public-facing social media platform, file-sharing platform, mass messaging platform or standalone search engine with over 2,000,000 unique monthly users in California, excluding broadband and telephone services), a "GenAI hosting platform" (a platform that makes generative AI systems available for download), and a "capture device manufacturer".
Sources: SB 942, chaptered text (leginfo); AB 853, chaptered text; SB 1000, chaptered text.
Common questions
Is there still a user threshold for SB 942?
No. SB 1000, signed on 30 September 2026, deleted the requirement that a system have over 1,000,000 monthly users. A person that creates, codes or otherwise produces a generative AI system publicly accessible within California is a covered provider.
Are film, television and streaming exempt from SB 942?
No. As amended by SB 1000, television, streaming, film and interactive experiences are no longer exempt. The chapter does not apply to products or services that provide exclusively non-user-generated videogames, and, before 1 January 2029, to generative AI systems designed primarily as assistive technology.
Does SB 942 apply to social media platforms?
AB 853 added separate duties for large online platforms: public-facing social media, file-sharing and mass messaging platforms and standalone search engines with over 2,000,000 unique monthly users in California. They apply from 1 January 2027, as amended by AB 2713.
Other sections
The latent disclosure
The hidden label image, video and audio output must carry, field by field.
The five fields → § 22757.2, § 22757.3(b)Verification tool and licensees
The free tool anyone can use to check your content, and the 72-hour licensee clock.
Tool and licensees → AB 853, AB 2713Platforms, hosts and capture devices
Duties for large online platforms and GenAI hosting platforms from 2027, and capture device makers from 2028.
AB 853 duties → ComparisonSB 942 vs EU AI Act
The California and EU marking rules row by row: who, what, labels, detection, dates and penalties.
Side by side → TimelineDates and penalties
Every operative date from 2024 to 2029, and the $5,000 per day civil penalty.
Dates and penalties →