Rhode Island and Hawaii enacted new AI healthcare laws in June and July, while Arizona’s governor vetoed a similar chatbot disclosure bill, reflecting a split national picture on state-level AI oversight.
Here’s a look at which states enacted or rejected healthcare AI legislation in June and July:
Rhode Island
Gov. Dan McKee signed two AI bills into law June 22. The first, sponsored by Sen. Lori Urso and Rep. Tina Spears, requires chatbot operators to detect suicidal ideation or self-harm expressions and refer users to crisis services, disclose non-human status at the start of every session and at least every three hours, and file annual safety reports with the attorney general. The second establishes the Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Mental Health Care Act, which bars AI from independently providing or advertising therapy services, requires informed consent before AI companion models assist in treatment, and extends existing confidentiality rules to AI notetaking and documentation tools. “It is time to put safeguards in place,” Ms. Urso said.
Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2311 on June 19. The bill would have required conversational AI operators to disclose AI use, build in self-harm crisis protocols and bar chatbots from simulating romantic or human identity with minors. The measure would have limited enforcement to the attorney general’s office and excluded a private right of action for injured families.
Hawaii
Gov. Josh Green signed SB 3001, Act 248, on July 14. The law requires AI companion operators to disclose non-human status, build self-harm and suicidal ideation response protocols, and file annual reports with the state’s Behavioral Health Administration, with an eye toward preventing addictive engagement patterns aimed at minors.
More states are expected to take up similar chatbot and mental health AI measures when 2027 sessions convene.
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