VirginiaMental health service providers; definitions, use of artificial intelligence system, civil penalty.
What it does
Use of artificial intelligence system by mental health service providers; civil penalty. Permits the use of an artificial intelligence system by mental health service providers to assist in providing therapy or counseling services if such mental health service provider maintains full responsibility for all interactions, outputs, and data use associated with the system. The bill prohibits the use of an artificial intelligence system to provide therapy or counseling services without a mental health service provider.
More detail
The bill specifies that records kept by mental health service providers must comply with health records privacy requirements; creates an exception for religious counseling, peer support, or self-help materials and educational resources; and establishes a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for violations of the statute.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 2Continued to next session in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)Latest
- Feb 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB269)
- Feb 6Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and InnovationMinor
- Feb 6Read first timeMinor
- Feb 6Placed on Calendar
- Feb 3Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 2Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 2Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 2Read second timeMinor
- Jan 30Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 30Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Jan 30Rules suspended
- Jan 29Committee substitute printed 26106455D-S1Major
- Jan 28Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 28Senate committee offered
- Jan 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB269)
- Jan 12Referred to Committee on General Laws and TechnologyMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104492DIntroduced