Prohibited Uses of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Services
VT AI Mental Health Law
Artificial intelligence · Health
Bars companies from offering mental health services to the public, including AI therapy chatbots, unless a licensed or rostered mental health professional provides them or they are part of an approved IRB or privacy board study. Professionals may use HIPAA-compliant AI tools and FDA-authorized digital therapeutics if they review and approve the services.
- Where
- Vermont
- Citation
- 18 V.S.A. § 7115, added by 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 156 (H.816); see also 3 V.S.A. § 129a and 26 V.S.A. § 1354 as amended
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 2026-06-17
- Enforced by
- Vermont Attorney General (Consumer Protection Act); Office of Professional Regulation and Board of Medical Practice for licensees
- People can sue
- Yes
- Penalties
- A violation by a corporation or entity is a Consumer Protection Act violation; the AG has chapter 63 authority (civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation) and private parties have the same rights and remedies as under 9 V.S.A. ch. 63, subch. 1. Prohibited AI use by professionals is unprofessional conduct.
- Applies to
- Corporations and entities that provide, advertise or offer mental health services to the public, including through AI
- Licensed mental health professionals (through unprofessional conduct rules)
Practices it requires
- Do not provide, advertise or offer mental health services, including AI-delivered therapeutic communications or decisions, unless a mental health professional provides them or they are part of an approved IRB or privacy board study.18 V.S.A. § 7115(b)
- Professionals may use only HIPAA-compliant AI tools and must review and approve any mental health services the tools produce.18 V.S.A. § 7115(d)
Sources
- Official text
- 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 156 (H.816), as enacted
- Act 156 act summary (Office of Legislative Counsel)
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Included because the library's scope covers AI-related health and disclosure laws; this is mainly a practice-of-care rule rather than a data privacy law.
Research reference, not legal advice.