Texas · House Bill · 89th Regular Session
HB4455
Texas HB 4455 — Relating to the use of artificial intelligence by health care providers (adding Chapter 180, Health and Safety Code)

Status ● Introduced Effective Sep 1, 2025 Passage Likelihood L

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is directed to adopt rules regulating health care provider use of AI. Enforcement would be through the HHSC rulemaking and regulatory oversight framework. No private right of action is created.
Private Right of Action
No private right of action. Enforcement is exclusive to the designated authority.
Penalties
The bill does not specify penalties, damages, or remedies. Enforcement mechanisms and penalties would presumably be established through the HHSC rulemaking process.

What This Bill Requires

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.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
Health & Safety Code § 180.001
Definitions

(1) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1)" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.

(2) "Health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2)" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.

Section 180.001 establishes the two defined terms for the chapter: artificial intelligence and health care provider. The AI definition is broad, encompassing any computer software that uses machine learning to simulate human intelligence and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement. The health care provider definition covers any individual licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in Texas — a broad category that would include physicians, nurses, therapists, and other licensed professionals.

Health & Safety Code § 180.002
Rules governing health care provider use of artificial intelligence
GovernmentProfessional

(a) 1 The executive commissioner by rule shall regulate the use of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1) by health care providersHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) in this state.

(b)(1) 1 The rules adopted under Subsection (a) must: (1) address the procedures necessary for a health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) to responsibly use artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1) in the provision of health care services and in analyzing and understanding health care information;

(b)(2) 2 The rules adopted under Subsection (a) must: (2) require a health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1) in the provision of health care services to use an automated messaging system when sending a message to the provider's patients that: (A) discloses the health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) uses artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1) in the provision of health care services; and (B) provides patients with contact information of a health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) who is available to answer questions or address concerns.

Section 180.002 is the chapter's sole operative section. Subsection (a) directs the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules regulating health care provider use of AI in the state. Subsection (b) then specifies two mandatory elements those rules must contain: first, procedures for responsible AI use in providing health care services and analyzing health care information; second, a patient-notification requirement mandating that providers using AI in health care services send patients an automated message disclosing the use of AI and providing contact information for a human provider who can answer questions.

The patient-notification requirement is the only concrete, self-executing obligation specified in the statutory text. All other regulatory substance — including scope, enforcement, penalties, and specific compliance procedures — is delegated entirely to the HHSC rulemaking process.

Compliance actions 2 items
1
The executive commissioner of HHSC must adopt rules regulating health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) use of AI, including procedures for responsible use of AI in providing health care services and analyzing health care information.
2
Health care providersHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) using AI in the provision of health care services must send patients an automated message that (1) discloses the provider uses artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means computer software designed to simulate human intelligence through machine learning and perform tasks normally requiring human involvement.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(1) in providing health care services and (2) provides contact information of a health care providerHealth care provider"Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state.Health & Safety Code § 180.001(2) available to answer questions or address concerns.
T-01.1
SECTION 2 (Transition)
Rulemaking deadline

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Chapter 180, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

Section 2 of the Act requires the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt the rules required by new Chapter 180 as soon as practicable after the Act's effective date of September 1, 2025. This is a transition provision directing agency action and does not create an independent compliance obligation for health care providers.

SECTION 3 (Effective Date)
Effective date

This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Section 3 sets the Act's effective date as September 1, 2025.

Passage Likelihood

Low
Status Introduced
Chamber No passage
Committee No action
Majority party No
Bipartisan No
Prior session None

Legislative History

2025-03-11 Filed
2025-04-03 Read first time
2025-04-03 Referred to Public Health

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-20
AI generated