Establishes regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care treatments.

Rhode Island Senate Bill: AI in Mental Health Care

This bill would establish rules and guidelines for how artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be used in mental health care treatment in Rhode Island. As AI tools become more common in healthcare settings — such as apps that provide mental health support, software that helps diagnose conditions, or systems that recommend treatment plans — this bill aims to create a framework to ensure those tools are used safely and responsibly.

The bill primarily affects mental health care providers, such as therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors, as well as the healthcare facilities and technology companies that develop or use AI-based mental health tools. It would also directly impact patients who receive mental health care, since the regulations would be designed to protect their safety, privacy, and well-being when AI is involved in their treatment.

At this stage, the bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology Committee. It has been scheduled for a hearing and recommended to be held for further study, meaning lawmakers are still reviewing and discussing the details before deciding whether to move it forward. The specific requirements of the regulations — such as what disclosures providers must make to patients or what standards AI tools must meet — would be defined as the bill continues through the legislative process.