Comment Letter || AB 1018, The Automated Decisions Safety Act
The Greenlining Institute is supporting AB 1018, The Automated Decisions Safety Act. This is a critical bill that establishes common-sense protections against the discriminatory and inaccurate impacts of automated decision-making systems (ADS). These technologies increasingly shape access to essential needs—like housing, healthcare, jobs, and credit—yet they often do so without transparency or accountability.
For communities of color, the stakes are especially high. From mortgage algorithms that deny Black applicants at higher rates than White applicants to healthcare systems that misjudge Black patients’ needs, ADS can deepen inequality when left unchecked. AB 1018 addresses this by requiring rigorous pre-use testing for bias, clear notice and explanations for impacted individuals, and real rights to opt out, correct errors, or appeal unfair decisions.
This bill is a vital step toward technology equity. It puts power back in the hands of everyday Californians—especially those in historically marginalized communities—by ensuring that civil rights are upheld in the digital age. Greenlining urges swift passage of AB 1018 to help create a future where innovation serves equity, not exploitation.
