HB178 – Limit Government Use of AI Systems

MTLawState

Date Passed

5/8/2025

Effective Date

5/8/2025

Summary

Restricts state/local government uses of AI, prohibiting cognitive behavioral manipulation, discriminatory classification, and broad public‑space surveillance (with narrow exceptions). Requires disclosure when agencies use AI in public‑facing tools or publish unreviewed AI content, and mandates human review for AI outputs that affect rights or duties.

Healthcare Implications

Public‑health and human services must disclose AI use in portals/chatbots and ensure trained human review before AI‑assisted decisions affect benefits, licensing, or enforcement. AI cannot be the sole basis for determinations impacting individuals. Limits on public‑space surveillance may curb live‑video analytics in health/public‑safety contexts.

Operational Implications

  • AI cannot be sole basis for determinations affecting rights or duties; trained human in responsible position must review/modify/reject AI recommendations affecting rights.
  • Disclosure when AI is used in public-facing tools or when publishing AI-generated content. Prohibits state/local government AI use for cognitive behavioral manipulation, discriminatory classification, and widespread public-space surveillance.

Impact Level

Medium

Keywords

Transparency & Governance

Stakeholders

Payers & Purchasers; Regulators & Government