Read the full stored bill text
HLS 26RS-420 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 197
BY REPRESENTATIVE DOMANGUE
HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides for the use of artificial intelligence by healthcare
providers
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 37:22.1, relative to the use of artificial intelligence by healthcare providers;
3 to authorize and prohibit certain uses of artificial intelligence by healthcare
4 providers; to establish penalties; to provide for the promulgation of rules; to provide
5 for definitions; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 37:22.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §22.1. Artificial intelligence; authorized uses; prohibited uses; penalties
9 A. As used in this Section:
10 (1) "Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a
11 given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations or
12 decisions influencing real or virtual environments. Artificial intelligence systems
13 use machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments,
14 abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and
15 use model inference to formulate options for information or action.
16 (2) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.
17 (3) "Healthcare professional" means any professional providing healthcare
18 services or treatment licensed in accordance with this Title or permitted to practice
19 in this state through an interstate compact or agreement.
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-420 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 197
1 (4) "Healthcare provider" means a person, partnership, limited liability
2 partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or facility licensed or certified
3 by this state to provide healthcare services.
4 B. A healthcare provider may use artificial intelligence to assist with an
5 administrative or analytical task related to providing healthcare services including
6 but not limited to any of the following:
7 (1) To prepare and maintain a client's records and notes.
8 (2) To manage appointment scheduling and reminders.
9 (3) To process billing or insurance claims.
10 (4) To analyze anonymized data to track client progress or identify trends.
11 (5) To identify and organize an external resource or a referral for a patient.
12 (6) To draft a general communication related to therapy logistics that does
13 not include therapeutic advice.
14 C. A healthcare provider shall not utilize artificial intelligence without
15 review and approval by a licensed healthcare professional to do any of the following:
16 (1) Make a decision related to treatment or diagnosis.
17 (2) Interact directly with a patient in any form of communication.
18 (3) Generate a therapeutic recommendation or treatment plan.
19 D.(1) A healthcare provider found in violation of this Section shall pay a
20 civil penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars per violation to the
21 department.
22 (2)(a) The department may investigate any complaints of actual, alleged, or
23 suspected violations of this Section against healthcare providers licensed or certified
24 by the department.
25 (b) The department may refer complaints of actual, alleged, or suspected
26 violations of this Section to the appropriate licensing board or agency with
27 jurisdiction over the healthcare provider.
28 (3) The department shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of
29 this Section.
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-420 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 197
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 197 Original 2026 Regular Session Domangue
Abstract: Establishes authorized uses, prohibited uses, and penalties for the unauthorized
use of artificial intelligence by healthcare providers.
Proposed law defines terms.
Proposed law states that a healthcare provider may use artificial intelligence to assist with
an analytical or administrative task associated with or related to the provision of healthcare
services or treatment.
Proposed law prohibits a healthcare provider from using artificial intelligence to
independently treat, diagnose, or communicate directly with a patient.
Proposed law establishes a penalty of $10,000 per violation for violating the provisions of
proposed law.
Proposed law tasks the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) with enforcing the penalty and
promulgating rules to implement proposed law.
Proposed law provides that LDH may investigate complaints of alleged violations of
proposed law against healthcare providers licensed by the LDH and may refer complaints
to the appropriate licensing board or agency with jurisdiction over the healthcare provider.
(Adds R.S. 37:22.1)
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.