Rhode Island H 7349 / S 2197 — Prohibition on AI Therapy and Psychotherapy Services
Rhode Island · Rhode Island H 7349 / S 2197 (2026), signed June 22, 2026
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed H 7349 / S 2197 on June 22, 2026, prohibiting any person or business from providing therapy or psychotherapy services using artificial intelligence. Only licensed mental health professionals may conduct such sessions. The law targets AI companion chatbots and virtual therapy products that may lead users to believe they are receiving licensed mental health care from a human professional.
Technical detail
Rhode Island H 7349 / S 2197, signed June 22, 2026 by Governor Dan McKee. Amends RI mental health licensing statutes to prohibit: (1) any AI system from providing or advertising therapy or psychotherapy services to Rhode Island residents; (2) entities from marketing or representing AI as a substitute for licensed mental health services or treatment. Enforcement by RI Department of Health and AG. No private right of action specified. Companion law S 2195 / H 7350 (AI companion self-harm safety) signed same day.
Who is protected: Rhode Island residents seeking mental health services; users of AI companion chatbots
Who must comply: Any person or entity offering AI-based therapy or psychotherapy services accessible to Rhode Island residents
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-06-22 |
| Enacted | 2026-06-22 |
| Citation | Rhode Island H 7349 / S 2197 (2026), signed June 22, 2026 |
| Enforced by | Rhode Island Department of Health; Rhode Island Attorney General |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Licensing violations; injunctive relief; civil penalties (amounts not yet specified in initial reports) |
| Topics | healthcare AI · consumer protection · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-06-28 |
| Official source | Rhode Island Enacts AI Laws Including Therapy Chatbot Ban — AI Transparency Coalition ↗ |
More AI rules in Rhode Island
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · In effect
- RI Synthetic Intimate Imagery Law · In effect
- RI Privacy Law (RIDTPPA) · In effect
- Rhode Island 17-30 (ban on undisclosed election deepfakes near an election) · In effect
- Executive Order 24-06: Artificial Intelligence and Data Cent · In effect
Related healthcare AI rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- Georgia SB 544 (health insurer AI) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Indiana HB 1271 (AI claims downcoding) · In effect
- Utah SB 319 (health insurer AI) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Maine mental-health AI limits (2026) · In effect
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