The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors faces significant scrutiny, particularly in the realm of mental health. As technology advances, state lawmakers are taking steps to establish guidelines that prioritize human intervention over automated systems in therapeutic settings.
Recently, the Vermont Senate advanced a bill aimed at maintaining a clear boundary between human mental health professionals and AI-driven tools. The proposed legislation, known as H.816, received approval during its second reading and is designed to prevent AI chatbots from making mental health-related decisions in the state.
“Our primary goal was to ensure that only licensed mental health professionals handle therapeutic matters, and that AI tools remain ancillary,” said Lynn Currier, executive director of the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She emphasized the need for regulations to safeguard public well-being amid the rise of AI applications in mental health.
Currier underscored the risks associated with AI-driven platforms that present themselves as wellness products yet may provide misleading clinical assessments. She remarked, “Even if it’s branded as wellness, if it behaves like a professional, it can be problematic.”
As it stands, the bill seeks to prohibit AI’s involvement in making diagnoses or treatment plans, categorizing such actions as “unlicensed practice.” This designation also emphasizes that AI-generated therapeutic advice would constitute “unprofessional conduct,” subject to enforcement under the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
However, the legislation does allow therapists to utilize AI for administrative tasks like scheduling and billing. This differentiation became a key concern for Representative Daisy Berbeco, D-Winooski, who initiated the bill. She recognized that while clinicians were already employing AI tools, clarification on permissible uses was essential.
“We want to encourage the use of these technologies, but they must complement, rather than replace, the expertise and skills that mental health professionals train for,” Berbeco told VTDigger. “These tools do not constitute healthcare.”
Additionally, Vermont’s Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation will provide guidance on how to govern AI’s application in mental health settings by January 15 of the following year.
Should this bill pass, it will take effect immediately. Currently, the bill awaits a third reading in the Senate, after which it will be sent back to the House for further consideration based on recent amendments.
“As human beings, we seek that interaction. If something mimics human behavior, we naturally treat it as an equal, even if we know intellectually it’s merely an imitation,” Currier stated.
In the know
Vermont’s Democratic U.S. Representative Becca Balint recently announced her re-election campaign. The Brattleboro native is aiming for a third consecutive term in Congress. During her campaign launch, she shared her concerns about the current political climate and the impact on Vermonters.
“Many Vermonters have expressed their worries about a government that appears to be overstepping its boundaries, and they fear for both reproductive and voting rights,” Balint declared.
She emphasized her commitment to advocating for constitutional rights, recalling confrontations with members of the Trump administration over pressing issues. “I challenged Pam Bondi, and now she’s no longer in her position. I also questioned Kristi Noem, and she is gone now too,” Balint reflected.
Balint first won her House seat in 2022 amidst a competitive Democratic primary, having previously held the position of president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate.
Read the full story here.
— Shaun Robinson
The Vermont House voted on Thursday to partially overturn Act 181, reflecting a significant shift in land-use policy that might have seemed unlikely earlier this year. This decision comes in response to backlash from rural landowners and local officials regarding the 2024 land-use law.
Lawmakers realized that the conservation measures implemented in Act 181 were alienating certain stakeholders, prompting Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, chair of the House Environment Committee, to address the need for a reevaluation.
“We recognized it was imperative to reassess how we engage Vermonters to address the gradual fragmentation of our forests and farmlands,” Sheldon stated on the House floor before the vote on the proposed amendments.
House leadership had previously indicated plans to roll back contentious sections of Act 181, particularly the “road rule” and the conservation-focused “Tier 3.” This marks a notable shift for some creators of the original legislation, including Sheldon, who previously expressed resistance to changes.
Despite the consensus on major points, House members deliberated extensively over the details, culminating in a lengthy floor debate before ultimately approving the amendments unanimously.
Read the full story here.
— Carly Berlin
On the trail
Jeffrey Peterson, identifying as a Democratic socialist, is campaigning for a House seat in the Chittenden-16 district during the Democratic primary.
He aims to replace Rep. Kate Logan, P/D-Burlington, who has chosen not to seek reelection and has endorsed Peterson. The two-seat district is also represented by Democratic House Speaker Jill Krowinski.
Peterson’s background includes working as a communications director for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo.
Two candidates have entered the race for House seats in Montpelier. Pelin Kohn, a city council member, and Jared Duval, executive director of the Energy Action Network, will also compete in the Democratic primary according to The Bridge.
— Ethan Weinstein
