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Kansas advisory committee urges guidance, client transparency on clinical AI use
Summary
Advisory committee members and BSRB staff discussed risks and uses of generative AI in clinical practice and recommended guidance emphasizing client consent, HIPAA compliance and training rather than outright bans.
Members of the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee discussed how the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board should approach regulation and guidance for clinicians who use artificial intelligence tools.
Executive Director David Fye told members the executive branch has issued a short generative-AI policy for state agencies and the BSRB is seeking further instruction from the governor’s office and the Office of Information Technology Services. “Generative AI is not meant to be a replacement. It can be a tool to assist, but it should not be used verbatim,” Fye said, summarizing the state guidance.
Why it matters: Committee members noted commercial vendors are beginning to embed AI features into electronic health records and other clinical tools; the committee agreed that guidance would help practitioners and protect clients while permitting beneficial uses.
Committee members described current vendor moves. Heidi Vela, a private-practice clinician, said SimplePractice recently announced plans to offer an AI notetaker that would transcribe sessions and propose chart notes. “It feels like not a it’s not an if anymore. It’s a it’s happening, and we have to figure it out,” Vela said.
Members prioritized practical regulatory aims. Committee discussion emphasized client transparency and consent, HIPAA and security compliance, and clarity on when AI-generated content may be used for administrative tasks (note templates, marketing) but should not replace clinician judgment for diagnosis or treatment. Several members recommended BSRB guidance include requirements for clinicians to verify and sign any notes or documents produced using AI.
Resources and next steps: Fye shared several documents for committee review, including the state generative-AI policy, guidance published by the National Board for Certified Counselors and an 80-page January 2025 report on AI policy for public-health organizations (Kansas Health Institute involvement). He said the board will continue to gather resources and consult the governor’s office and IT services while advisory committees provide input.
Ending: The committee asked staff to continue compiling resources and bring the topic back at a future meeting for specific recommendations. “If the board does take a, make a statement on the bill or, take a position on the legislation, we will be sure to keep you updated,” Fye said in a separate legislative context; on AI he asked committee members to forward resources and concerns to staff for distribution.
