CA AB1018

Regulates automated decision systems (ADS) used for consequential decisions affecting employment, housing, education, healthcare, financial services, criminal justice, and government benefits

Requires developers to conduct impact assessments before deploying covered ADS and annually thereafter, documenting expected accuracy, reliability, and potential disparate treatment or impacts based on protected characteristics

Beginning January 1, 2030, developers must contract with independent third-party auditors to assess compliance, with audits required within six months of impact assessments and every two years thereafter

Beginning January 1, 2027, deployers must provide subjects with written disclosures before and after consequential decisions, including information about how the ADS works and opportunities to correct personal information or appeal decisions within 30 business days

Authorizes the Attorney General, district attorneys, city attorneys, Civil Rights Department, and Labor Commissioner to bring civil actions for violations, with penalties up to $25,000 per violation plus injunctive relief and attorney's fees