In one paragraph
Vermont's S.241 (2026) would have barred anyone from offering, providing or advertising mental health services in Vermont that use AI in whole or in part, and barred mental health professionals from using AI for therapeutic decisions or communications, treatment plans, or detecting emotions. AI could be used for administrative support and, with written notice and consent, transcription. Violations of the ban would have been Consumer Protection Act violations carrying a $10,000 civil penalty each. Referred to Senate Health and Welfare January 13, 2026; died. A House companion, H.644, also died.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died and never became law. It would have barred AI-delivered mental health services and limited clinicians to administrative AI uses in Vermont.
Key provisions
- No person or entity may offer, provide or advertise mental health services in Vermont that use AI in whole or in part, except as authorized by 26 V.S.A. 7101 (18 V.S.A. 7115(b))
- Mental health professionals may not use AI to make therapeutic decisions, give direct therapeutic communications, generate treatment plans, or detect or interpret emotions or mental states (26 V.S.A. 7101(d))
- AI allowed for administrative support only if the professional reviews and takes responsibility; before AI transcription or recording, written notice and consent from the patient are required
- Misuse of AI by a mental health professional is unprofessional conduct (3 V.S.A. 129a)
- Violation of the ban (18 V.S.A. 7115) would be a Consumer Protection Act violation with a $10,000 civil penalty per violation; Attorney General and private remedies under 9 V.S.A. chapter 63
- Would have taken effect on passage; referred to Health and Welfare January 13, 2026 and died; House companion H.644 also died
Latest legislative action
Jan 13, 2026. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare; died when the Vermont General Assembly's 2025-2026 biennium ended May 29, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 11)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Alison Clarkson D | Primary |
| Andrew Perchlik D | Primary |
| Cheryl Hooker | Primary |
| Martine Gulick D | Primary |
| Rebecca Balint | Primary |
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