Lawmakers in 47 states introduced more than 250 bills regulating AI in healthcare in 2025, with 33 signed into law across 21 states, according to a Dec. 16 Manatt Health analysis.
The measures reflect a growing trend toward use-specific regulations focused on patient safety, transparency and ethical oversight.
State action surged after a proposed 10-year moratorium on AI regulation was removed from H.R. 1. Although Congress has not passed any laws directly regulating AI, President Donald Trump signed a Dec. 11 executive order directing federal agencies to challenge state AI laws viewed as overly burdensome and to develop a minimally restrictive national standard.
Mental health applications drew significant attention. Seven states enacted laws targeting AI-enabled chatbots, with California’s SB 243 requiring clear disclosure that users are interacting with AI and stricter protections for minors.
In clinical care, Illinois enacted HB 1806 to bar AI from making therapeutic decisions or interacting with patients without licensed oversight. Laws in Illinois and Texas also now require healthcare providers to notify patients when AI is used in care and, in some cases, obtain explicit consent.
Broader AI governance frameworks lost momentum, as states shifted to narrower rules or “sandbox” programs that allow temporary waivers for testing new tools. Manatt Health expects states to remain the primary regulators of healthcare AI in 2026.
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