Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 269: Mental health service providers; definitions, use of artificial intelligence system, civil penalty.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 269 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Mental health service providers; definitions, use of artificial intelligence system, civil penalty. Primary sponsor: Barbara Favola (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 2, 2026): Continued to next session in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Use of artificial intelligence system by mental health service providers; civil penalty. Permits the use of an artificial intelligence system by mental health service providers to assist in providing therapy or counseling services if such mental health service provider maintains full responsibility for all interactions, outputs, and data use associated with the system. The bill prohibits the use of an artificial intelligence system to provide therapy or counseling services without a mental health service provider. The bill specifies that records kept by mental health service providers must comply with health records privacy requirements; creates an exception for religious counseling, peer support, or self-help materials and educational resources; and establishes a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for violations of the statute.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Favola | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 40 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued to next session in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB269)
- Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation
- Read first time
- Placed on Calendar
- Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
- Read second time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Rules suspended
Showing 12 most recent of 18 actions. Full history