WV HB4770

Prohibits artificial intelligence from directly providing therapy or psychotherapy services in West Virginia; only licensed professionals (psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurses, physicians) may deliver such services.

Permits AI use for administrative and supplementary support functions in mental health care, but licensed professionals must review and approve all AI-generated treatment recommendations, and no patient care or insurance claims decisions can be based exclusively on AI-generated information.

Requires operators to notify users at the start of any AI companion interaction (and every three hours thereafter) that they are not communicating with a human, and prohibits AI systems from being designed or marketed in ways that would lead users to believe they are interacting with a licensed professional.

Mandates written informed consent before AI can be used to record or transcribe therapeutic sessions, and requires operators to disclose AI system details and performance data to the Insurance Commissioner.

Establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, adds a mental health practitioner to the West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, and applies to insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2027.