Senate Bill 344 (2026) — Use of artificial intelligence in psychological, clinical, counseling, and therapy services
SB 344
Florida Bills
Florida Senate - 2026 SB By Senator Grall 29-00683-26 2026344__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled
An act relating to the use of artificial intelligence in psychological, clinical, counseling, and therapy services; creating ss. 490.016 and 491.019, F.S.; 4 defining the term “artificial intelligence”; 5 prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence in the practice of psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling; 8 providing exceptions; providing an effective date. 9
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
Section
Section 490.016, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 14 490.016 Use of artificial intelligence.— 15
(1) As used in this section, the term “artificial intelligence” means any machine-based system that varies in level of autonomy and that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the inputs the system receives how to generate outputs, including, but not limited to, content, 20 decisions, predictions, or recommendations that can influence physical or virtual environments. 22
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a licensee may not use artificial intelligence in the practice of psychology or school psychology. A licensee may use artificial intelligence to: 26
(
a) Assist in administrative or supplementary support services. Administrative and supplementary support services include, but are not limited to, all of the following: 29 Florida Senate - 2026 SB 344 29-00683-26 2026344__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 1. Managing appointment scheduling and reminders. 30 2. Drafting general communications related to therapy logistics that do not involve therapeutic advice. 32 3. Processing billing and insurance claims. 33 4. Preparing and managing patient records. 34 5. Analyzing data for operational purposes. 35
(
b) Record or transcribe a counseling or therapy session if a licensee obtains written, informed consent at least hours before the provision of services. 38
Section
Section 491.019, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 40 491.019 Use of artificial intelligence.— 41
(1) As used in this section, the term “artificial intelligence” means any machine-based system that varies in level of autonomy and that, for any explicit or implicit objective, infers from the inputs the system receives how to generate outputs, including, but not limited to, content, 46 decisions, predictions, or recommendations that can influence physical or virtual environments. 48
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder may not use artificial intelligence in the practice of clinical social work, 51 marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. A licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder may use artificial intelligence to: 54
(
a) Assist in administrative or supplementary support services. Administrative and supplementary support services include, but are not limited to, all of the following: 57 1. Managing appointment scheduling and reminders. 58 Florida Senate - 2026 SB 344 29-00683-26 2026344__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 2. Drafting general communications related to therapy logistics that do not involve therapeutic advice. 60 3. Processing billing and insurance claims. 61 4. Preparing and managing patient records. 62 5. Analyzing data for operational purposes. 63
(
b) Record or transcribe a counseling or therapy session if a licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder obtains written, informed consent at least hours before the provision of services. 67