Binding law — in force
R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(a) bars a licensed professional or provider from using AI designed to simulate emotional attachment, bonding or dependency, or AI companions for mental health or emotional support, to assist in supplementary support or therapeutic communication where the client's session is recorded or transcribed, unless the patient (or parent, guardian or legal representative) is told in writing that AI will be used and its specific purpose, and gives consent. Consent means an affirmative, explicit, informed, specific and revocable written agreement (electronic allowed); accepting general terms of use, hovering or closing content, and deceptive actions do not count. Detect session recordings or transcripts reaching an AI step with no per-client written consent check.
ri-s2197.ai-session-recording-notice-consent · R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(a) · official source · jurisdictions: US-RI
The guard to add, and how far to trust this rule
Binding law — in force
R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(c) limits a licensed professional's AI use to permitted uses, administrative or supplementary support for which the professional keeps clinical judgement and oversight, and bars letting AI make independent therapeutic decisions, determine therapeutic recommendations or treatment plans, or directly interact with clients in therapeutic communication without an established relationship in which the professional undertakes diagnosis and treatment and the patient consents. Detect practice software where model output reaches the client, sets a therapeutic decision, or becomes a treatment plan without the professional's recorded approval.
ri-s2197.ai-therapy-role-limits · R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(c) · official source · jurisdictions: US-RI
The guard to add, and how far to trust this rule
Binding law — in force
R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(b), enacted by P.L. 2026, ch. 374 (S 2197) and ch. 373 (H 7349), bars any individual, corporation or entity from providing, advertising or otherwise offering therapy or psychotherapy services to the public in Rhode Island, including through internet-based AI, unless an individual who is a licensed professional or provider conducts them. Religious counseling, peer support, public self-help material that does not purport to offer therapy, FDA-cleared AI tools and IRB-approved research are outside the chapter. Detect an AI cast or marketed as the therapist, or therapy offered as delivered by AI, with no licensed professional conducting the service.
ri-s2197.no-unlicensed-ai-therapy · R.I. Gen. Laws 40.1-5.5-3(b) · official source · jurisdictions: US-RI
The guard to add, and how far to trust this rule
