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    AB-56
    Health & Public Health

    Social media: warning labels.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Requires social media platforms to display health warning labels to users when they first log in each day.
    • Mandates additional warning displays after three hours of use and every hour thereafter.
    • Requires warnings to cover up to 75% of the screen and remain visible for 90 seconds for users under 18.
    • Authorizes the Department of Public Health to modify the warning text as needed.

    Summary

    Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan and Wicks have proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to display prominent health warnings to users, building upon California's existing regulations on social media addiction. The measure would mandate that covered platforms show a black box warning when users first access the platform each day, after three hours of cumulative use, and at least hourly thereafter.

    The warnings must occupy at least 25% of the screen upon initial daily access and remain visible for 10 seconds, though users can dismiss them via an "X" icon. Subsequent warnings must cover 75-100% of the screen and remain for 90 seconds without the option to bypass, except for users verified to be over 17 years old. The warning text, which can be modified by the Department of Public Health, states the Surgeon General's advisory on social media's association with mental health risks for young users.

    The requirements apply to platforms meeting the state's definition of "addictive internet-based services" but exclude websites primarily focused on e-commerce, cloud storage, email, private messaging, or internal organizational communications. The bill specifies that displaying these warnings or user dismissal of them does not limit platforms' liability for claims beyond violations of the warning requirements themselves.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Health Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Health]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 56 Bauer-Kahan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 14 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh LowenthalD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Liz OrtegaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Buffy Wicks
    Buffy WicksD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Josh Lowenthal
    Josh LowenthalD
    California State Assembly Member
    Ash Kalra
    Ash KalraD
    California State Assembly Member
    Liz Ortega
    Liz OrtegaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Papan
    Diane PapanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 16, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    100111PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Requires social media platforms to display health warning labels to users when they first log in each day.
    • Mandates additional warning displays after three hours of use and every hour thereafter.
    • Requires warnings to cover up to 75% of the screen and remain visible for 90 seconds for users under 18.
    • Authorizes the Department of Public Health to modify the warning text as needed.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Buffy Wicks
    Buffy WicksD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Josh Lowenthal
    Josh LowenthalD
    California State Assembly Member
    Ash Kalra
    Ash KalraD
    California State Assembly Member
    Liz Ortega
    Liz OrtegaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Papan
    Diane PapanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan and Wicks have proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to display prominent health warnings to users, building upon California's existing regulations on social media addiction. The measure would mandate that covered platforms show a black box warning when users first access the platform each day, after three hours of cumulative use, and at least hourly thereafter.

    The warnings must occupy at least 25% of the screen upon initial daily access and remain visible for 10 seconds, though users can dismiss them via an "X" icon. Subsequent warnings must cover 75-100% of the screen and remain for 90 seconds without the option to bypass, except for users verified to be over 17 years old. The warning text, which can be modified by the Department of Public Health, states the Surgeon General's advisory on social media's association with mental health risks for young users.

    The requirements apply to platforms meeting the state's definition of "addictive internet-based services" but exclude websites primarily focused on e-commerce, cloud storage, email, private messaging, or internal organizational communications. The bill specifies that displaying these warnings or user dismissal of them does not limit platforms' liability for claims beyond violations of the warning requirements themselves.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Health Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Health]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 56 Bauer-Kahan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 16, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    100111PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 14 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh LowenthalD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Liz OrtegaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member