Rhode Island S2197: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT (Establishes regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care treatments.)

What the bill says

From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:

2026 -- S 2197 ======== LC004017 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT Introduced By: Senators Urso, Tikoian, Zurier, Burke, Gu, Paolino, DiPalma, and Famiglietti Date Introduced: January 23, 2026 Referred To: Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Title 40.1 of the General Laws entitled "BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 5.5 OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT 40.1-5.5-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Mental Health Care Act". 40.1-5.5-2. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter: (1) "Administrative support" means tasks performed to assist a licensed professional in the delivery of therapy or psychotherapy services that do not involve communication. "Administrative support" includes, but is not limited to, the (ii) Processing billing and insurance claims; and (iii) Drafting general communications related to therapy logistics that do not include therapeutic advice. (2) "Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machinebased system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lori Urso (D, SD-008) · primary sponsor
• David Tikoian (D, SD-022)
• Samuel Zurier (D, SD-003)
• John Burke (D, SD-009)
• Victoria Gu (D, SD-038)
• Thomas Paolino (R, SD-017)
• DiPalma, Louis (D, SD-012)
• Stefano Famiglietti (D, SD-004)

Latest actions

1. June 22, 2026: Signed by Governor
2. June 18, 2026: Transmitted to Governor
3. June 8, 2026: House passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
4. June 5, 2026: Placed on House Calendar
5. June 4, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A as amended in concurrence
6. June 2, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
7. May 22, 2026: Referred to House Health & Human Services
8. May 21, 2026: Senate passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
9. May 15, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
10. May 14, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A

Votes

• House Committee on Health & Human Services: Passage of Sub A as amended in concurrence (June 4, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Seq #197: (May 21, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Seq #196: (May 21, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech: Passage of Sub A (May 14, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech: Passage (March 24, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2197?

S2197 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT (Establishes regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care treatments.).

What is the status of S2197?

Signed into law as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 22, 2026).

Who sponsored S2197?

Lori Urso (D, SD-008), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S2197?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197Aaa.pdf