Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019)
Missouri SB 1019 (2026) — Ban on AI Posing as a Therapist / Mental-Health Professional
Missouri · Mo. SB 1019 (2026 Reg. Sess.); MMPA enforcement; effective Aug 28, 2026
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 28, 2026
- Applies to
- Companies and individuals offering or advertising AI chatbots in Missouri; AI mental-health/therapy chatbot operators and marketers
- Enforced by
- Missouri Attorney General (Missouri Merchandising Practices Act)
Missouri's 2026 health-care law bans companies and individuals from advertising or claiming that an AI chatbot can act as a mental-health professional or provide therapy services. Marketing an AI 'therapist' is treated as an unlawful business practice the state Attorney General can pursue, with fines of $10,000 for a first violation and $20,000 for each later violation.
Who is protected: Missouri consumers, especially people seeking mental-health support, who could be misled into thinking an AI chatbot is a licensed therapist
Legal detail
SB 1019 (2026 Reg. Sess.) modifies several health-care provisions and prohibits offering or advertising an AI chatbot as capable of providing therapy, a mental-health diagnosis, or as a licensed mental-health professional. Violations are an unlawful practice under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA), enforced by the Attorney General; civil penalties of $10,000 (first) / $20,000 (subsequent). Truly agreed to and finally passed May 15, 2026; delivered to Gov. Kehoe May 28, 2026; effective August 28, 2026 (Missouri's standard effective date).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | May 28, 2026 |
| Citation | Mo. SB 1019 (2026 Reg. Sess.); MMPA enforcement; effective Aug 28, 2026 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | $10,000 for a first violation; $20,000 for each subsequent violation, as an unlawful practice under the MMPA |
| Topics | healthcare AI · consumer protection |
| Bill text | Missouri SB 1019 (2026) — bill page (LegiScan mirror of the official Missouri General Assembly record) |
More AI rules in Missouri
- Missouri Deepfake & Digital Media Protection Act · Proposed / pending
- Missouri Taylor Swift Act (SB 1117) · Expired
- Missouri RSMo 573.010 (computer-generated CSAM) · In effect
- Executive Order 26-02 (Strategic Framework for Integration of… · In effect
Related healthcare AI rules elsewhere
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- AZ HB 2175 (AI Insurance Denial — Physician Review) · In effect
- Illinois SB 3114 — Transparency in Downcoding Act · Enacted (not yet in effect)
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