WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 3 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1) "Artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1)" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.
(2) "Mental health adviceMental health advice"Mental health advice" means a statement, recommendation, or response purporting to diagnose, treat, mitigate, or address emotional distress, a psychological disorder, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or another mental health concern.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2)" means a statement, recommendation, or response purporting to diagnose, treat, mitigate, or address emotional distress, a psychological disorder, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or another mental health concern.
(3) "ProviderProvider"Provider" means a person that designs, deploys, or operates an artificial intelligence chatbot that is accessible to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3)" means a person that designs, deploys, or operates an artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) that is accessible to users in this state.
Section 554J.1 establishes three defined terms for the chapter. Artificial intelligence chatbot is defined broadly to cover any software using NLP or similar ML techniques to simulate conversation or generate human-like responses — this is not limited to companion or therapeutic chatbots. Provider encompasses designers, deployers, and operators of such chatbots accessible to Iowa users, combining developer and deployer roles into a single covered entity. Mental health advice is defined functionally by reference to the nature of the output (diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or addressing mental health concerns).
(1) 1 A providerProvider"Provider" means a person that designs, deploys, or operates an artificial intelligence chatbot that is accessible to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3) shall not design or operate an artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) in a manner that allows the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) to offer or simulate professional mental health adviceMental health advice"Mental health advice" means a statement, recommendation, or response purporting to diagnose, treat, mitigate, or address emotional distress, a psychological disorder, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or another mental health concern.Iowa Code § 554J.1(2).
(2) 2 An artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) shall not represent itself as a licensed professional or offer services that would require licensure under chapter 154B or 154D.
(3) 3 A providerProvider"Provider" means a person that designs, deploys, or operates an artificial intelligence chatbot that is accessible to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3) shall implement reasonable protocols to have the providerProvider"Provider" means a person that designs, deploys, or operates an artificial intelligence chatbot that is accessible to users in this state.Iowa Code § 554J.1(3)'s artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) detect expressions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or emotional distress by users. Upon detection of such expressions, the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) shall refer the user to appropriate crisis services, including but not limited to the national suicide prevention lifeline, the Iowa crisis hotline, or emergency services.
Section 554J.2 imposes three distinct obligations on providers. Subsection 1 prohibits providers from designing or operating a chatbot that offers or simulates professional mental health advice. Subsection 2 prohibits the chatbot itself from representing itself as a licensed professional or offering services requiring licensure under Iowa chapters 154B (psychology) or 154D (behavioral science). Subsection 3 requires providers to implement reasonable detection protocols for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress, with mandatory referral to crisis services upon detection.
The prohibition in subsection 1 is broad — it applies to any chatbot, not just those marketed for mental health purposes. The crisis referral obligation in subsection 3 names the national suicide prevention lifeline, the Iowa crisis hotline, and emergency services as examples of appropriate referral targets.
(1) 4 Each artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) accessible to a user in this state shall explicitly disclose in clear, conspicuous, and easily understood language that the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) is artificial intelligence, is not a human, and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
(2)(a)–(c) 4 A disclosure required under this section shall appear at all of the following times: a. At the beginning of the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1)'s interaction with a user prior to providing the user with a response to user input. b. At regular intervals during a user's continuous interaction with the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1). c. When the artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) generates a response related to emotional well-being, mental health, or self-harm.
Section 554J.3 imposes a multi-point disclosure obligation. Subsection 1 requires every AI chatbot accessible to Iowa users to disclose in clear, conspicuous, and easily understood language that it is artificial intelligence, is not a human, and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Subsection 2 specifies three mandatory disclosure timing points: (a) at the beginning of each interaction before providing a response; (b) at regular intervals during a user's continuous interaction; and (c) whenever the chatbot generates a response related to emotional well-being, mental health, or self-harm.
The content of the disclosure is broader than a typical AI-identity disclosure — it includes an affirmative statement that the chatbot is not a substitute for professional mental health care. The 'regular intervals' requirement is not further defined; the bill delegates that specification to HHS rulemaking under § 554J.6.
(1) The attorney general shall have authority to enforce this chapter.
(2) A violation of this chapter is an unfair practice under section 714.16.
Section 554J.4 designates the attorney general as the enforcement authority and classifies violations of chapter 554J as unfair practices under Iowa Code § 714.16, Iowa's consumer fraud statute. This incorporation makes the full range of § 714.16 remedies available — injunction, disgorgement, restitution, and civil penalties up to $40,000 per violation.
This chapter shall not be construed to impose liability on an educational institution or a library solely for providing access to general-use software or the internet.
Section 554J.5 is a savings clause exempting educational institutions and libraries from liability under the chapter when the institution's sole connection is providing access to general-use software or the internet. This is a narrow carve-out — it does not exempt an educational institution that itself designs, deploys, or operates a chatbot.
5 The department of health and human services, in consultation with the chief information officer of the department of management, shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Rules shall include but not be limited to all of the following: 1. Standards for detection protocols for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress. 2. Acceptable formats for providing disclosures under section 554J.3. 3. Safe use guidelines for artificial intelligence chatbotArtificial intelligence chatbot"Artificial intelligence chatbot" means a software program or application that uses natural language processing or similar machine-learning techniques to simulate human conversation or generate human-like responses to user input.Iowa Code § 554J.1(1) technologies.
Section 554J.6 delegates rulemaking authority to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the chief information officer of the Iowa Department of Management. The rules must cover at minimum: (1) standards for detection protocols for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress; (2) acceptable formats for providing disclosures under § 554J.3; and (3) safe use guidelines for AI chatbot technologies. This section creates no direct compliance obligation for providers but signals that substantive compliance standards will be developed through the administrative process.
(t) It is an unlawful practice for a person to violate chapter 554J.
Section 7 of the bill amends Iowa Code § 714.16, subsection 2, by adding a new paragraph (t) declaring it an unlawful practice for a person to violate chapter 554J. This is the conforming amendment that integrates chapter 554J violations into Iowa's existing consumer fraud enforcement framework.