In June 2026, Rhode Island's Governor Daniel McKee enacted three significant bills related to artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. These laws seek to address issues stemming from the application of AI products, companion tools, and mental health service technologies.
The three newly signed pieces of legislation include:
1. The Use of Artificial Intelligence by Healthcare Providers Notification Act (S 2570), effective June 22, 2026 2. The Regulatory Provisions—Artificial Intelligence Companion Models Act (S 2195), effective January 1, 2027 3. The Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Mental Health Care Act (S 2197), effective June 22, 2026
The Use of Artificial Intelligence by Healthcare Providers Notification Act stands alone, while the other two acts form part of a comprehensive healthcare legislative package that aims to ensure the responsible application of AI in the healthcare sector, contributing to its stability and sustainability.
**Details of the AI Providers Notification Act**
This act mandates that patients be informed when AI technology is utilized by healthcare providers. All licensed healthcare professionals and facilities are required to notify patients about the use of AI tools during both in-person and telehealth consultations. Additionally, after each visit, healthcare providers must verify the accuracy of the AI-generated documentation.
**Focus on AI Companion Tools**
The Regulatory Provisions—Artificial Intelligence Companion Models Act concentrates on disclosure requirements and protocols to prevent self-harm associated with AI companion tools. These systems leverage AI and emotional recognition to create a semblance of human interaction, remembering previous user exchanges and engaging them with targeted emotional inquiries.
Certain systems—primarily for customer service, efficiency enhancement, or internal operations—are exempted from the definition of AI companions. Under this law, an "Operator" encompasses any entity involved in running or providing an AI companion tool. Operators are required to include safeguards for addressing issues of self-harm or suicidal thoughts and must immediately refer users to crisis services if such expressions occur.
Operators will also need to give clear notifications to users at the onset of interaction and subsequently every three hours, reminding them that they are not conversing with a human being. Starting July 1, 2027, these operators must submit annual reports to the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General detailing the activation of safety measures, among other metrics. The Attorney General is empowered to pursue enforcement actions against noncompliant operators, with penalties of up to $15,000 per day.
**Regulation of AI in Mental Health Care**
The Oversight of AI Technology in Mental Health Care Act places limitations on AI tools used for emotional and supplementary support within mental health services, allowing only licensed professionals, such as psychiatrists, to use them. Consent from the patient is essential for the use of any supplementary AI in therapeutic settings, and AI must not be employed for making treatment decisions.
Additionally, therapy services via AI cannot be publicly marketed unless they are administered by licensed professionals. Licensed healthcare providers can engage AI for administrative purposes but must oversee its use judiciously. If they opt to incorporate AI for emotional simulations, they must initially inform the patient about the AI's use and obtain written consent.
Should patients independently choose to use predictive AI tools, healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss the risks and limitations associated with such software, while remaining responsible for the confidentiality and safety of the patient.
This act reinforces patient confidentiality standards as outlined in the Confidentiality of Health Care Communications and Information Act, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds the authority to investigate any potential breaches.
Certain exceptions apply to the act, including religious counseling, peer support, and public self-help materials that do not claim to provide therapeutic services. Additionally, any AI tools endorsed by the FDA or authorized federal agencies for healthcare use are exempt, as are AI systems evaluated by a healthcare facility’s institutional review board for research purposes.
**Looking Ahead**
As the integration of AI in healthcare continues to evolve, these new regulations introduce compliance demands for various stakeholders in Rhode Island, encompassing licensed healthcare providers, facilities, and AI service operators.
