In one paragraph
Tennessee's HB 1470 was enacted as its Senate companion, SB 1580 (Public Chapter 647): the House substituted SB 1580 for HB 1470 on March 16, 2026. The law adds Tenn. Code § 33-1-205: a person who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system may not advertise or represent to the public that the system is, or is able to act as, a qualified mental health professional. A violation is an unfair or deceptive act under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, subject to its penalties and remedies, and carries a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation. Signed April 1, 2026 (Public Chapter 647); effective July 1, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Developers and deployers of AI systems may not advertise or represent to the public that a system is, or can act as, a qualified mental health professional; each violation carries a $5,000 civil penalty plus Tennessee Consumer Protection Act remedies.
Key provisions
- New Tenn. Code § 33-1-205(a): a person who develops or deploys an AI system shall not advertise or represent to the public that the system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional
- A violation is a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 and an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce, subject to that Act's penalties and remedies; it is also added to the Act's list of unfair or deceptive acts (§ 47-18-104(b))
- Notwithstanding the Consumer Protection Act's civil penalty limits, a violation carries a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation
- Artificial intelligence: models and systems capable of performing functions generally associated with human intelligence, including reasoning and learning
- Passed the Senate 32-0 on February 9, 2026; the House substituted SB 1580 for HB 1470 and passed it 94-0 on March 16, 2026
- Enacted as Senate Bill 1580: signed by the Governor April 1, 2026 (Public Chapter 647, recorded on the HB 1470 page as 'Comp. became Pub. Ch. 647' April 6, 2026); effective July 1, 2026
Latest legislative action
Apr 6, 2026. Comp. became Pub. Ch. 647
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Gabby Salinas D | Sponsor | HD-096 |
| Jason Powell D | Sponsor | HD-053 |
| Michele Carringer R | Sponsor | HD-016 |
| Michele Reneau R | Sponsor | HD-027 |
| Tim Hicks R | Sponsor | HD-006 |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 4)
H Floor Vote: VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION Mar 16, 2026
94 yea0 nayPassed
H HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Consent Calendar Mar 12, 2026
0 yea2 nay
H HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee Mar 3, 2026
20 yea0 nayPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error