Committee backs bill barring AI systems from claiming to be licensed mental-health professionals

The House Health Committee unanimously passed legislation that would bar artificial-intelligence systems from advertising or representing themselves as qualified mental-health professionals.

Representative Hicks, sponsor of House Bill 1470, told the committee the measure targets consumer protection: the bill adopts Title 33s definitions of mental-health professional services and prohibits developers and deployers of AI mental-health systems from marketing those products as if they were licensed human clinicians.

Paul Abear, founder of the AR Recovery Collective, told the committee he was "psychologically harmed by an AI chatbot" and cited studies reviewed by clinicians that found AI chatbots can "minimize and dismiss" users who disclose escalating suicidal risk. "If it can happen to a 30-year tech veteran, it will happen to anyone who turns to an AI system in a moment of genuine mental health crisis," Abear said, and he urged passage as a consumer-protection measure.

Questions from members focused on whether the bill would prevent school systems and other under-resourced providers from using AI triage tools. Representative Mitchell asked whether the legislation might remove options for schools that cannot afford human clinicians; the sponsor replied the bill does not ban AI tools when used by credentialed staff and emphasized it requires accurate representation so users know they are speaking with a nonlicensed system.

Vote and next steps: The committee voted HB 1470 out unanimously (20-0). The bill will move to Calendar and Rules.

Context: Supporters say the measure closes a gap in consumer protection by ensuring products do not present themselves as licensed professionals. Opponents or concerned members asked the sponsor to ensure the bill preserves tools that augment licensed clinicians and that schools and community providers do not lose affordable triage options without an alternative.