# Rhode Island S2197: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT . Rhode Island S2197, AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT ., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Lori Urso (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-22 (Signed by Governor — Chapter 374) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S2197-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Rhode Island S2197 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT . - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-01-23 - Last action: 2026-06-22, Signed by Governor — Chapter 374 - Sponsor: Lori Urso (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 7 - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (73 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 3 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Only licensed pros can offer therapy: benefit, medium. No person or company may provide, advertise, or offer therapy in Rhode Island unless a licensed professional conducts the service. This ban includes internet-based AI that claims to provide therapy. Religious counseling, peer support, and public self-help materials are not covered if they do not cl… - Privacy and enforcement for AI therapy: benefit, medium. Rhode Island now regulates how AI is used in mental health care. The Health Department Director oversees providers, can investigate suspected violations, and can set rules to carry out this law. Your therapy records and talks with licensed professionals are confidential and cannot be shared except… - Limits on AI in your therapy: benefit, low. AI cannot make treatment decisions or directly talk with clients in therapy. It cannot create treatment plans or try to detect emotions or mental states. If a session is recorded or transcribed, AI companions or tools that simulate bonding need written notice and your signed, affirmative consent. T… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Lori Urso (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: John P. Burke (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Louis P. DiPalma (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Stefano V. Famiglietti (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Victoria Gu (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Thomas J. Paolino (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: David P. Tikoian (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Samuel D. Zurier (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-05-21 | Senate | RELATING BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE- A.I TECH. MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT Passage as Amended Passage | pass | 37 | 0 | | | 2026-05-21 | Senate | RELATING BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE- A.I TECH. MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT Approval of Amendment Passage | pass | 36 | 0 | | ## Actions (15) - 2026-06-22: Signed by Governor — Chapter 374 (Governor) - 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-08: House passed Sub A as amended in concurrence (House) - 2026-06-05: Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026) (House) - 2026-06-04: Committee recommends passage of Sub A as amended in concurrence - 2026-06-02: Scheduled for consideration (06/04/2026) - 2026-05-22: Referred to House Health & Human Services (House) - 2026-05-21: Senate passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment) (Senate) - 2026-05-15: Placed on Senate Calendar (05/21/2026) (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Committee recommends passage of Sub A - 2026-05-13: Proposed Substitute - 2026-05-12: Scheduled for consideration (05/14/2026) - 2026-03-24: Committee recommended measure be held for further study - 2026-03-20: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/24/2026) - 2026-01-23: Introduced, referred to Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technol (Senate) ## Bill text - S2197 - As Introduced, 2026-01-23: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197.pdf) - S2197 - Substitute, 2026-01-23: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197A.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197A.pdf) - S2197 - Substitute As Amended, 2026-01-23: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197Aaa.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197Aaa.pdf) ## Related bills - H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS . (became law) - H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY . (became law) - H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT . (became law) - H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN . (became law) - H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES . (became law) - H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) ## Sources - [S2197 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197.htm) - [S2197 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197.pdf) - [S2197 - Substitute (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197A.htm) - [S2197 - Substitute (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197A.pdf) - [S2197 - Substitute As Amended (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197Aaa.htm) - [S2197 - Substitute As Amended (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2197Aaa.pdf) ## Related - [H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8605-2026) - [H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8586-2026) - [H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8580-2026) - [H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8506-2026) - [H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8525-2026) - [H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8437-2026) - [Rhode Island bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island/bills) - [Rhode Island state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S2197-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).