Senate committee advances bill banning AI from advertising as a human therapist

A Tennessee Senate committee voted to advance a bill that would prohibit advertising or representing an artificial intelligence system as a qualified mental health professional.

Senator Wally, the bill sponsor, told the committee SB 1580 was prompted by concerns from the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations and mental health professionals: "This bill just provides that a person who develops or deploys an AI system from advertising or representing to the public that that system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional." The sponsor emphasized current law requires anyone who provides therapy to be a licensed human in Tennessee.

Members questioned whether the bill's language could unintentionally ban AI development or tools that assist clinicians. "I'm just reading it as a person who develops an artificial intelligence systemshall not advertise or represent to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional," one member said, seeking clarity on development vs. advertising. Sponsor and supporters responded that the intent is transparency in consumer communication, not to prohibit assistive tools or research: "the psychologist can use AI to assist him or her in the evaluation of a patient...but they cannot use AI to substitute for a human," a member summarized.

Supporters framed the bill as a consumer-protection and commerce regulation: SB 1580 would treat deceptive representations about AI providing therapy as an unfair and deceptive act under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, subject to available remedies.

The committee took a roll-call vote and recorded nine ayes; the chair announced the bill would be moved forward to the calendar.