Creates a 15-member joint commission to study and provide recommendations regarding safe staffing ratios in hospitals, and who would report back to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027, and expire on January 30, 2028.
SB 2197 requires mental health professionals (such as licensed therapists, counselors, and social workers) to obtain specific written consent before using artificial intelligence for administrative tasks like scheduling or record-keeping. The bill bans AI tools designed to simulate emotional bonds or make therapeutic decisions during client sessions, including those used with recorded therapy. It prohibits AI from directly interacting with clients or replacing human judgment in treatment, while allowing limited AI use for non-therapeutic support under strict oversight. The law applies to all licensed mental health providers offering therapy or psychotherapy services in the state.
Mandates all health insurance contracts, plans, or policies provide the same reimbursement to independent healthcare facilities as that of hospital affiliated facilities where the same healthcare service is provided.
This bill establishes new rules for using artificial intelligence in mental health care. It requires licensed mental health professionals (like therapists and counselors) to get specific written consent from clients before using AI tools in therapy sessions, and prohibits AI from simulating emotional bonds or making therapeutic decisions. The law allows AI only for administrative tasks (e.g., scheduling) or supplementary support (e.g., analyzing anonymized data for progress tracking), while ensuring therapists maintain full responsibility for care. It directly affects all mental health providers and organizations offering therapy services in the state.
Classifies, research, intent and interest in healthcare services as protected healthcare data. Adds responsibilities for regulated entities that seek to collect and share consumer data including a requirement for specific and conspicuous consumer consent.
Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”
Establishes the Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates set by the general assembly as the rate floor for Medicaid managed care by home care, home nursing care and hospice providers.
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.
Authorizes the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples.
Amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of the small employer health insurance availability act to mean a business employing less than one hundred (100) employees rather than fifty (50) employees.
