NJ AI Mental Health Provider Ban
New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protection Act (SB 4463 / AB 5603)
Prohibits AI systems from advertising or representing themselves as licensed mental health professionals. Violations constitute unlawful practice under NJ Consumer Fraud Act with penalties up to $10,000 first offense, $20,000 subsequent offenses.
Jurisdiction
New Jersey
Enacted
Pending
Effective
TBD
Enforcement
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
Bills died in committee at end of 2024-2025 legislative session (January 12, 2026). May be reintroduced in new session.
New Jersey LegislatureWhy It Matters
Prevents AI chatbots from misrepresenting therapeutic capabilities. Companion to similar bills in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois.
Recent Developments
Introduced May 2025, Assembly version progressed to 2nd reading by June 2025. Still in legislative process as of January 2026.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Requires
Who Must Comply
- Persons who develop AI systems in New Jersey
- Persons who deploy AI systems in New Jersey
- AI system operators serving New Jersey users
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Prohibition on AI advertising as licensed mental health provider
- Prohibition on AI representing ability to act as licensed mental health professional
- Enforced under Consumer Fraud Act framework
Compliance & Enforcement
Penalties
$20K; $10K/violation
View on map
New Jersey
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
New Jersey. (n.d.). New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protection Act (SB 4463 / AB 5603).
Related Regulations
PA AI Mental Health Therapy Act
Imposes explicit prohibitions on AI systems making therapeutic judgments, generating treatment plans without human review, or simulating emotional interaction. Violations treated as unprofessional conduct under Commonwealth licensing laws.
MA AI Healthcare Act
Prohibits AI from making independent therapeutic decisions in mental or behavioral health settings. Requires licensed professional review of all AI treatment plans and patient interactions.
IL WOPR Act
Illinois law prohibiting licensed professionals from using AI systems to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients in therapeutic communication, or detect emotions/mental states. AI limited to administrative and supplementary support with licensed professional oversight.
CA AI Child Safety Ballot
Comprehensive child AI safety ballot initiative by Common Sense Media. Expands companion chatbot definitions, raises age threshold for data sale consent, prohibits certain AI products for children, establishes new state regulatory structure. Allows state and private lawsuits, requires AI literacy in curriculum, mandates school device bans during instruction, creates children's AI safety fund.
FL AI Bill of Rights
Establishes an 'AI Bill of Rights' for Floridians including the right to know if communicating with AI, parental controls over minors' AI chatbot access, prohibition on selling user data, disclosure requirements for AI-generated political ads, and protections against unauthorized use of name/image/likeness by AI.
UK OSA
One of the most comprehensive platform content moderation regimes globally. Creates specific duties around suicide, self-harm, and eating disorder content for children with 'highly effective' age assurance requirements.
Last updated February 17, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.