SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 281

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Psychological, Clinical, Counseling, and Therapy Services
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SPONSOR
Hunschofsky; Trabulsy
FILED BY
Christine Hunschofsky — District 95, Democrat [search donations]
Dana Trabulsy — District 84, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

Filed under AI & Technology.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Psychological, Clinical, Counseling, and Therapy Services; Prohibits use of artificial intelligence in practice of psychology, clinical social work, marriage & family therapy, & mental health counseling, respectively; defines "artificial intelligence"; provides exceptions.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bans AI in therapy sessions while allowing it for administrative tasks.

The bill prohibits licensed psychologists, social workers, therapists, and counselors from using artificial intelligence to deliver mental health services. This ban applies to all clinical interactions, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic advice.

Practitioners may still use AI for non-clinical administrative duties. Permitted uses include managing appointment scheduling, processing insurance claims, preparing patient records, and analyzing operational data. These tools must not provide therapeutic advice.

The bill allows AI to record or transcribe therapy sessions. However, this requires the practitioner to obtain written, informed consent from the patient at least 24 hours before the service is provided.

The law defines artificial intelligence broadly as any machine-based system that infers from inputs how to generate outputs. This definition covers systems that make decisions, predictions, or recommendations that influence physical or virtual environments.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Prohibition on AI in Clinical Practice majors. 490.016(2)

AIProhibits licensed psychologists, school psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors from using artificial intelligence in the practice of their respective professions.

“a licensee may not use artificial intelligence in the practice of psychology or school psychology” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Prohibition on AI for Interns and Certificateholders majors. 491.019(2)

AIProhibits licensees, registered interns, and certificateholders in clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling from using artificial intelligence in the practice of these fields.

“a licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder may not use artificial intelligence in the practice of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health” bill text, line 49 →
§ 3 Exception for Administrative Support moderates. 490.016(2)(a)

AIPermits the use of artificial intelligence for administrative or supplementary support services, including managing appointment scheduling, drafting general logistics communications, processing billing, managing patient records, and analyzing operational data.

“Assist in administrative or supplementary support services” bill text, line 27 →
§ 4 Exception for Session Recording with Consent moderates. 490.016(2)(b)

AIPermits the use of artificial intelligence to record or transcribe a counseling or therapy session if the practitioner obtains written, informed consent at least 24 hours before the provision of services.

“Record or transcribe a counseling or therapy session if a licensee obtains written, informed consent at least 24 hours before the provision of services” bill text, line 36 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/4/2025
Now in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
11/4/2025
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
11/4/2025
Referred to Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee
11/4/2025
Referred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
10/28/2025
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 490.016
+177 / −0
s. 491.019
+196 / −0