SB1580 • 2026

Health Care

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63, relative to mental health.

Technology

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Walley, Hicks T
Last action: 2026-04-06
Official status: Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for accidental violations, leaving these points unclear.

Prohibits AI Systems from Claiming to be Mental Health Professionals

This law stops people from advertising or claiming that an artificial intelligence system can work as a qualified mental health professional.

What This Bill Does

Forbids anyone from advertising or representing that an AI system is a licensed mental health provider.
Makes breaking this rule a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, which means it's unfair and deceptive to consumers.
Adds a specific penalty for violating this new law: $5,000 per offense.

Who It Names or Affects

People who make or use AI systems in mental health contexts.
Consumers of mental health services advertised by AI companies.

Terms To Know

Artificial Intelligence: Systems that can perform tasks usually done by humans, like thinking and learning.
Qualified Mental Health Professional: A person who is licensed or certified to provide mental health services.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not specify what happens if someone accidentally breaks the rule.
It's unclear how this will be enforced and by whom.

Bill History

2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Pub. Ch. 647
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 647
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by Governor.
2026-03-20 Tennessee General Assembly
Transmitted to Governor for action.
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by H. Speaker
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by Senate Speaker
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Enrolled and ready for signatures
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Subst. for comp. HB.
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Comp. SB subst.
2026-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly
H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/16/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/12/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/3/2026
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-02-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Health Committee
2026-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Population Health Subcommittee for 2/17/2026
2026-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 2/9/2026
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-01-28 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/4/2026
2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Population Health Subcommittee
2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Health Committee
2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-01-12 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-01-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

This bill prohibits a person
who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system
from
advertis
ing
or represent
ing
to the public that such system is
,
or is able to act as
,
a qualified mental health professional.

A violation constitutes a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977
and
an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce
,
and is subject to the penalties and remedies provided in
such Act
, which includes, but is not limited to, restraining orders, injunction
s, private rights of action, and damages.
However,

n
otwithstanding the civil penalty limits provided by
such Act
, a violation is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HOUSE BILL 1470
By Hicks T

SENATE BILL 1580
By Walley
SB1580
009808
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33;
Title 47 and Title 63, relative to mental health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33, Chapter 1, Part 2, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
33-1-205.
(a) A person who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system shall not
advertise or represent to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified
mental health professional.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) constitutes a violation of the Tennessee
Consumer Protection Act of 1977, compiled in title 47, chapter 18, part 1. A violation of
subsection (a) constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or
commerce and is subject to the penalties and remedies provided in the Tennessee
Consumer Protection Act of 1977. Notwithstanding the civil penalty limits provided by
the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, a violation of subsection (a) is subject
to a civil penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation.
(c) As used in this section, "artificial intelligence" means models and systems
capable of performing functions generally associated with human intelligence, including
reasoning and learning.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 47-18-104(b), is amended by adding
the following as a new subdivision:
( ) Violating § 33-1-205;
SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.