CO AI Healthcare Act
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care (HB26-1139)
Regulates mental health companion chatbots and AI use in healthcare utilization review. Declares AI providers engage in unauthorized practice of psychotherapy if their chatbot misrepresents credentials, uses reserved professional titles, delivers unsupervised psychotherapy, or fails to disclose it is not human. Separately requires AI-driven insurance utilization review to consider individual clinical circumstances rather than solely group data.
Jurisdiction
Colorado
Enacted
Jun 2, 2026
Effective
Jan 1, 2027
Enforcement
Colorado Attorney General
Signed by Governor Polis on June 2, 2026 (Chapter 325, Session Laws of Colorado 2026), after passing the Senate 33-2. Effective January 1, 2027.
Colorado General AssemblyWhy It Matters
Establishes unauthorized practice of psychotherapy framework for AI chatbots that present themselves as mental health providers, complementing HB26-1195 which restricts licensed therapists from delegating clinical work to AI.
Recent Developments
Signed into law June 2, 2026. Companion bill to HB26-1195 (AI Psychotherapy Restrictions for licensed professionals).
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Requires
Who Must Comply
- AI system providers offering mental health companion chatbots
- Health care entities using AI for utilization review
- Insurance carriers using AI for coverage decisions
- Pharmacy benefit managers
- Managed care entities
Safety Provisions
- Mental health companion chatbots must provide clear, conspicuous notice they are not human and not authorized to provide psychotherapy
- AI systems cannot misrepresent themselves as licensed mental health professionals
- AI cannot use titles or descriptions reserved for regulated mental health professionals
- AI-driven psychotherapy delivery requires oversight by a regulated professional
- AI-recommended insurance denials must be reviewed by a licensed clinician
- AI utilization review must consider individual clinical circumstances, not solely group data
Exemptions
Administrative AI Use
AI used for scheduling, billing, recordkeeping, and similar administrative tasks is permitted
- • No therapeutic interaction
- • No clinical decision-making
Compliance & Enforcement
Penalties
Not yet specified in available bill text; companion bill HB26-1195 references Consumer Protection Act enforcement
View on map
Colorado
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
Colorado. (2026). Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care (HB26-1139).
Related Regulations
CO HB 1263
Imposes obligations on conversational AI service operators including minor-user protections, suicide and self-harm protocols, prohibition on emotional dependence and engagement gamification, and annual safeguard reporting.
CO AI Psychotherapy Restrictions
Prohibits licensed mental health professionals from using AI to detect emotions, generate treatment plans without clinician review, or directly interact with clients therapeutically. Allows AI for administrative support with consent.
IA SF 2417
Establishes requirements and guidelines for conversational AI services including AI disclosure to minors, prohibition on sexually explicit content for minors, prevention of deceptive human-like interactions, and parental controls for children under 13.
IL HB 5511
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NJ Kids Code
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MA S.3164
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Last updated August 2, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.