S 788 South Carolina Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Artificial Intelligence and Therapy or Psychotherapy

Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS RELATED TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THERAPY OR PSYCHOTHERAPY; TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPORT IN THERAPY OR PSYCHOTHERAPY WHERE THE CLIENT'S THERAPEUTIC SESSION IS RECORDED UNLESS THE PATIENT IS INFORMED THAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL BE USED AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE AND THE PATIENT CONSENTS TO THIS USE; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, OR ENTITY MAY NOT OFFER THERAPY OR PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES, INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF INTERNET-BASED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, UNLESS THE THERAPY OR PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL; TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MAY NOT ALLOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO MAKE INDEPENDENT THERAPEUTIC DECISIONS; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL RECORDS KEPT BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL; TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Apr 30, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2026

How they voted

430
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 45
Apr 28, 2026
D Democratic12
12 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican33
31 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Apr 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and read first time
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and sent to House
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment Adopted
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-0-2)
senate
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and read first time
upper
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors