Lawmakers across the country are taking early action to regulate the use of AI in mental healthcare, reflecting a growing concern over the role of emerging technologies in sensitive clinical settings.
From creating task forces to explore AI’s potential to placing outright restrictions on its use in mental health, here are five recent pieces of proposed legislation:
- In California, Senate Bill 579 would establish a working group to evaluate AI’s role in therapy. While the state has introduced multiple bills with varying definitions of AI, SB579 centers on forming a task force rather than imposing direct regulation.
- New Jersey lawmakers proposed Senate Bill 4463, which would restrict the use of AI as a substitute for licensed mental health professionals. The bill prohibits developers and deployers from advertising their tools as capable of providing licensed care and includes a definition of AI within the bill’s language.
- Massachusetts House Bill 1974 would require licensed providers to obtain board approval before using AI in mental health services. The bill mandates patient consent, requires safety oversight of AI tools and stipulates that patients also be offered the option to receive treatment from a licensed mental health professional.
- In Pennsylvania, five state representatives announced plans to introduce legislation that would regulate AI use in healthcare. The proposal would require insurers and providers to disclose when AI is used in mental healthcare settings.
- Rhode Island House Bill 6285 would regulate AI use in mental health services by requiring authorization from the appropriate licensing body. The legislation also mandates informed consent and patient disclosure and includes a working definition of AI tailored to the mental health context.
