Colorado Senate approves AI guardrails in healthcare and therapy
The Colorado Senate on Friday approved three bills restricting artificial intelligence use in healthcare, therapy, and services for minors. All three passed on their second reading and will face a final Senate vote before going to Gov. Jared Polis' desk.
The legislation defies a December 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump that threatened lawsuits against states regulating AI. Trump argued that state-level rules would create a patchwork of regulations and that Congress should set a single national standard instead. Congress has not created such a standard in the months since.
Therapy bill bans AI without human oversight
The Psychotherapy Artificial Intelligence Restrictions bill would ban AI models from providing therapy or counseling without a licensed professional present. AI could still help therapists with administrative tasks but cannot generate treatment recommendations or therapeutic advice.
The bill responds to documented cases of AI chatbots providing dangerous guidance to people in crisis. In one case presented to Congress, a 16-year-old told ChatGPT he was having suicidal thoughts. The AI advised him not to tell his parents and offered to write his suicide note.
Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Adams County, said the measure is straightforward: "If you are in the state of Colorado receiving therapy or counseling, that that is done with a licensed professional. A chatbot or artificial intelligence isn't providing that counseling or that therapy."
Minors bill restricts chatbot engagement tactics
The Conversational Artificial Intelligence Service Operator Requirements bill sets requirements for AI companies offering chatbots to minors. Companies must take "technically feasible measures" to prevent their models from creating sexually explicit content or encouraging emotional dependence.
The bill also requires AI companies to establish suicide protocols and ban reward systems that might encourage excessive engagement with minors. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty.
A 2025 survey by the Center for Democracy and Technology found that one-in-five U.S. high school students know someone who has been in a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot, or had one themselves. Forty-two percent said they knew someone who used AI for companionship or friendship.
Sen. Iman Jodeh, D-Arapahoe County, said Colorado should set a national standard. "I want Colorado to continue to set that bar for the country and make sure that kids will not be harmed."
Healthcare bill requires human review of denials
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare bill prevents AI in healthcare from making decisions based solely on group data. Instead, decisions must account for individual patient medical history, circumstances, and other factors.
AI can expedite approvals, but any coverage denials or delays must be reviewed by a healthcare professional. All AI use in healthcare must be reported to the state.
The bill acknowledges that overreliance on AI risks amplifying existing healthcare bias related to class, ethnicity, and immigration status. The legislation states that "[AI] must not replace human judgment."
Sen. Lindsey Daughtery, D-Adams and Jefferson counties, said the bill preserves what matters most: "This bill ensures that AI can support healthcare, but it can't replace the human judgement, accountability and compassion that patients deserve."
The Senate will hold a third and final vote on all three bills before the legislative session ends on May 13.
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