Tennessee Governor Signs AI Therapy Bot Ban Into Law

Apr 5, 2026

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed SB 1580 into law on April 1, 2026, prohibiting AI systems from representing themselves as qualified mental health professionals, making Tennessee one of the first states to restrict AI in mental healthcare. The legislation passed unanimously with 32-0 in the Senate on February 9 and 94-0 in the House on March 16, following similar chatbot safety measures in Oregon and Washington. Multiple states are now pursuing AI regulation, with Nebraska's LB 1185 attached to agricultural privacy legislation ahead of April 17 adjournment, Georgia's SB 540 awaiting Governor Brian Kemp's signature, and Arizona, Colorado, and California advancing various chatbot safety and child protection bills. California is leading with over 20 AI-related bills addressing employment surveillance, healthcare decisions, student privacy, legal practice standards, and the proposed creation of a California AI Standards and Safety Commission approved 31-7 by the Senate on January 27, 2026.

Tennessee's AI Therapy Bot Ban and Mental Health Chatbot Restrictions

▪Tennessee SB 1580 was approved by the Tennessee Senate 32-0 on February 9, 2026.
▪Tennessee SB 1580 prohibits the deployment of any AI system that represents itself as a qualified mental health professional.
▪Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed SB 1580 into law on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
▪Tennessee SB 1580 was approved by the Tennessee House 94-0 on March 16, 2026.

Chatbot Safety Legislation Advancing Across Multiple States

▪Arizona HB 2311 passed its second reading with the Arizona Senate on March 9, 2026.
▪Georgia SB 540 is a chatbot disclosure and child safety bill that has made it to Governor Brian Kemp's desk.
▪Nebraska LB 1185, an AI chatbot safety bill sponsored by Senator Bostar, has been attached to the Agricultural Data Privacy Act LB 525.
▪Arizona HB 2311 is a kids chatbot safety bill approved by the full Arizona House on February 24, 2026.
▪California SB 300 was approved by the full California Senate 38-0 on January 26, 2026.
▪California AB 2023 and SB 1119 are bills concerning chatbots and children's safety.

AI Regulation in Healthcare, Education, and Employment

▪California AB 1898 would require an employer to provide written notice to an employee that a workplace AI tool was used to assist in making employment-related decisions or to surveil the workplace.
▪Alabama SB 63 was passed by the Alabama Senate on February 19, 2026.
▪Arizona HB 4005 would require each school district to offer instruction on the ethical, moral, and educational uses of AI.
▪Arizona HB 4005 was approved by the Arizona House 31-25 on March 3, 2026.
▪California AB 1898 was approved by the California Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection on March 25, 2026.
▪Alabama SB 63 was approved by the Alabama House Committee on Insurance and placed on the calendar on March 17, 2026.

California's Comprehensive AI Legislative Agenda

▪California SB 1142, the Digital Dignity Act, would clarify that false impersonation includes the use of a digital replica with the intent to impersonate another for purposes of prescribed criminal provisions.
▪California AB 1159 was approved by the California Assembly on January 26, 2026.
▪California SB 813 was approved by the California Senate 31-7 on January 27, 2026.
▪California SB 1159 was passed by the California Senate Judiciary Committee on March 24, 2026.