2023 -- H 6285

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LC002794

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS

AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Cortvriend, Baginski, Donovan, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: April 19, 2023

     Referred To: House Innovation, Internet, & Technology

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-63.2 of the General Laws entitled "Mental Health Counselors and

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Marriage and Family Therapists" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-63.2-27. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in providing mental health services.

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     (a) For purposes of this act the following definitions apply:

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     (1) “Artificial intelligence” or “AI” means any technology that can simulate human

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intelligence, including, but not limited to, natural language processing, training language models,

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reinforcement learning from human feedback and machine learning systems.

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     (2) “Licensed mental health professional” means any individual who is licensed by the

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State of Rhode Island to provide mental health services, including, but not limited to,

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psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed independent clinical

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social workers and other professional counselors.

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     (3) “Mental health services” means any service provided by a licensed mental health

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professional for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, or preventing mental illness or emotional or

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behavioral disorders.

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      (b) Any licensed mental health professional who wishes to provide mental health

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services through the use of AI shall first seek approval from the relevant professional licensing

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board.

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     (c) Any AI system used to provide mental health services shall be designed to prioritize

 

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the safety and well-being of individuals seeking treatment and shall be continuously monitored by

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a licensed mental health professional to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

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     (d) Any licensed mental health professional providing mental health services through the

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use of AI shall inform patients of the use of AI in their treatment and provide them with the

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option to receive treatment from a licensed mental health professional.

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     (e) Any licensed mental health professional providing mental health services through the

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use of AI shall disclose the use of AI to patients in advance and obtain their informed consent.

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     (f) Any licensed mental health professional who violates the provisions of this section

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shall be subject to disciplinary action by the relevant professional licensing board.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS

AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

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     This act would define artificial intelligence and regulate its use in providing mental health

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services.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002794

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