Newsom Signs SB 947, the 'No Robo Bosses Act'
The law bans fully automated discipline and firing decisions and takes effect July 1, 2027, with complaints going to the California Labor Commissioner.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947, known as the 'No Robo Bosses Act,' into law. The measure prohibits employers from outsourcing disciplinary and termination decisions entirely to artificial intelligence, referred to in the text as automated decision systems (ADS).
Under the law, employers must review any AI-generated decision on employee discipline or termination and give the employee a description of the reasons, including the data used — personnel files, evaluations, work product, peer reviews and witness interviews.
The law does not fully prohibit the use of automated systems for disciplinary or termination determinations. It also requires employers to clarify whether a mass layoff, relocation or termination is caused by an AI system.
Employees who believe the process was not followed correctly in a firing decision can file complaints with the California Labor Commissioner, according to ZDNET. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2027.
Earlier AI workplace rules
In April 2026, a MyPerfectResume survey of 1,000 HR professionals found that 73% use AI to make hiring decisions, 52% use it to inform restructuring and role planning, and 51% use it to flag 'risky' candidates; 26% said they do not use AI to make decisions about layoffs. In summer 2025, Illinois passed a bill requiring third-party audits of frontier labs, while Colorado and Connecticut have mandated disclosure of AI use rather than intervening in hiring and workplace processes.
Quick answers
When does California's SB 947 take effect?
The 'No Robo Bosses Act' goes into effect on July 1, 2027.
Does SB 947 ban AI in disciplinary and termination decisions?
No. It prohibits employers from outsourcing those decisions entirely to automated decision systems and requires human review, rather than a full ban.
Where can employees file a complaint about a firing decision?
Employees who believe the process was not followed correctly in a firing decision can file complaints with the California Labor Commissioner.