PA AI Mental Health Therapy Act
Pennsylvania Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Therapy Act (HB 1993)
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.
Jurisdiction
Pennsylvania
Enacted
Pending
Effective
TBD
Enforcement
Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology; Professional Licensure authorities
Referred to Professional Licensure Committee on October 24, 2025. Session: 2025-2026.
Pennsylvania General AssemblyWhy It Matters
Strengthens human oversight requirements for mental health AI. More restrictive than disclosure-only approaches (ME, MN). Targets therapeutic AI capabilities.
Recent Developments
Mirrors Illinois WOPR Act. Referred to Professional Licensure Committee October 2025. No committee votes as of January 2026.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Requires
Who Must Comply
- Mental health practitioners using AI in Pennsylvania
- AI system developers offering mental health services
- Companies advertising AI-based therapy services
Safety Provisions
- Prohibits AI from making independent therapeutic judgments
- Prohibits AI from generating treatment plans without licensed human review
- Prohibits AI from simulating emotional interaction in therapeutic context
- Violations subject to professional disciplinary action
Compliance & Enforcement
Penalties
license revocation
View on map
Pennsylvania
Focus Areas
Compliance Help
Licensed professional must review all AI treatment plans and therapeutic interactions. AI cannot independently make clinical decisions or simulate emotional responses.
See how NOPE helpsCite This
APA
Pennsylvania. (n.d.). Pennsylvania Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Therapy Act (HB 1993).
Related Regulations
NJ AI Mental Health Provider Ban
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.
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.
PA Digital Forgery Act
Amends Pennsylvania's forgery statutes to criminalize creation and distribution of non-consensual AI-generated deepfakes ('forged digital likenesses') with intent to defraud or injure. Establishes tiered criminal penalties including felony charges for fraud-related deepfakes.
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.
Last updated February 17, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.