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H 1210

An Act relative to AI health communications and informed patient consent

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill requiring healthcare providers to disclose AI use to patients and obtain informed consent before AI involvement in health communications and clinical decisions.

Accompanied a study order, see H5066
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Bill Summary · H 1210

Legislative bill overview

H 1210 requires healthcare providers and AI systems in Massachusetts to disclose when artificial intelligence is being used in patient health communications and clinical decision-making. The bill mandates that patients receive informed consent before AI involvement in their care and establishes standards for transparency about how AI systems are used in healthcare delivery.

Why is this important

As AI tools increasingly influence medical diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and patient communications, this bill addresses a significant gap in patient rights and awareness. Without disclosure requirements, patients may unknowingly receive care influenced by algorithms without understanding their limitations, potential biases, or how their data is being processed—raising both ethical and practical concerns about informed decision-making in healthcare.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Healthcare providers may argue that detailed disclosure requirements create administrative complexity and costs, particularly for smaller practices integrating AI tools into existing workflows
  • AI definition and scope: Disagreement likely over what qualifies as "AI" for disclosure purposes—whether basic clinical decision-support systems, statistical algorithms, or only machine learning systems require notification
  • Competitive concerns: Healthcare companies may resist transparency requirements as potentially disclosing proprietary information about their AI systems or creating competitive disadvantages versus out-of-state providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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