AI Frontier Institute

A bill for an act relating to provider requirements concerning the mental health of users of an artificial intelligence chatbot, and providing civil penalties.

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Iowa Senate File 2415 establishes requirements for providers of artificial intelligence chatbots regarding user mental health protections. Under new Chapter 554J, a 'provider' is defined as any person who designs, deploys, or operates an AI chatbot accessible to Iowa users. The bill prohibits providers from designing or operating chatbots that offer or simulate professional mental health advice, and prohibits chatbots from representing themselves as licensed professionals or offering services requiring licensure under chapters 154B (psychology) or 154D (behavioral science). Providers must implement protocols to detect expressions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or emotional distress, and upon detection, must refer users to crisis services such as the national suicide prevention lifeline, the Iowa crisis hotline, or emergency services (Section 554J.2). Chatbots must clearly disclose that they are AI, not human, and not a substitute for professional mental health care — at the start of each interaction, at regular intervals, and whenever responding to mental health or self-harm topics (Section 554J.3). Enforcement falls to the attorney general; violations constitute an unfair practice under Section 714.16 (consumer fraud), subject to civil penalties of up to $40,000 per violation (Section 554J.4). Educational institutions and libraries providing access to general-use software or the internet are exempt (Section 554J.5). The Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Management's chief information officer, must adopt rules covering detection protocol standards, disclosure formats, and safe-use guidelines (Section 554J.6).

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