This bill creates new statutory restrictions and procedures governing the use of artificial intelligence in the delivery of therapy and psychotherapy in Washington. It adds a section to chapter 18.130 RCW and creates a new chapter in Title 19 RCW. Licensed professionals are prohibited from using AI to make independent therapeutic decisions, to directly engage in therapeutic communication with clients, to generate therapeutic recommendations or treatment plans without the licensed professional’s review and approval, or to detect clients’ emotions or mental states. Before using AI in recorded or transcribed therapeutic sessions, the licensed professional must provide written notice that AI will be used and the AI tool’s specific purpose, and must obtain the patient’s (or legally authorized representative’s) written, affirmative, revocable consent. AI may be used only for administrative support or for supplementary support where the licensed professional retains full responsibility and meets the notice and consent requirements. The bill also prohibits any person or entity from providing, advertising, or offering therapy or psychotherapy to the public in Washington unless the services are conducted by a licensed professional, and it makes violations subject to discipline under the chapter and the uniform disciplinary act and liable as unfair or deceptive acts under the Washington Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW). The text includes detailed definitions for terms such as artificial intelligence, administrative support, supplementary support, therapeutic communication, licensed professional (listing specific license chapters), consent, religious counseling, and peer support services, and contains a severability clause. The extract does not show an effective date or implementation timeline, and it does not specify which licensing board or enforcement mechanism will carry out disciplinary actions; the reason for repeated definitions in different sections is also not explained in the provided text.

If enacted, licensed therapists and related mental health professionals will no longer be able to let artificial intelligence act as the therapist: AI cannot make treatment decisions, speak directly with clients in a therapeutic way, offer treatment plans or detect emotions without a human licensee reviewing and approving everything. AI can still be used for scheduling, billing, record-keeping, preparing notes, or other non-therapeutic support, but clinicians must give written notice and get explicit written consent before using AI in recorded or transcribed sessions, and the clinician remains fully responsible for all AI outputs and client interactions. Providers may not advertise or offer therapy to Washington residents through an AI system unless a licensed professional is actually conducting the service, and violations can lead to professional discipline and consumer protection actions. The groups most affected are licensed psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, music therapists and the businesses that offer therapy services, especially online platforms; they will likely face higher administrative costs and time demands to obtain and document consent, to review AI-generated materials, and to avoid delegating clinical tasks to AI. Patients should see clearer notice and the ability to refuse AI use in recordings, but details about when the law would take effect and which boards will enforce discipline are not provided in the extracted text, leaving enforcement timing and procedures uncertain.