H.R. 10417House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

VA AI Transparency Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 22, 2026 at 12:42 PM UTC

The VA AI Transparency Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to tell any person it interacts with when an artificial‑intelligence system is being used. Within 180 days of the law’s passage, the VA must provide a clear notice that the interaction is with AI, not a human, and explain the general purpose of the AI. The rule applies to veterans, their families, caregivers, and anyone seeking VA benefits or services.

Key Provisions

The Secretary must disclose every instance where AI is used to interact with a "covered individual" and must do so within 180 days of the law’s enactment.
Disclosures must state that the person is dealing with an AI system, not a human employee, and must describe the general purpose of the AI use.
The disclosure requirement does not apply to internal AI tools that help VA staff, contractors, or authorized personnel with administrative, analytical, or clerical tasks.
The term "covered individual" includes veterans, their survivors, dependents, caregivers, and anyone applying for or receiving VA benefits or services.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 16, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10417

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2026

Mr. Barrett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose each instance in which the Secretary uses artificial intelligence to interact with a covered individual, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VA AI Transparency Act of 2026.

Required disclosure of certain Department of Veterans Affairs uses of artificial intelligence

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that, except as provided in subsection (c), with respect to each instance in which the Department of Veterans Affairs uses artificial intelligence to interact with a covered individual, the Secretary discloses such use to the covered individual.

(b)

Contents of disclosure

A disclosure under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a clear statement that the covered individual is interacting with an artificial intelligence system and not a human employee of the Department; and

(2)

an identification of the general purpose for which the artificial intelligence system is being used.

(c)

Exception

Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to internal uses of artificial intelligence by the Department to assist a Department employee, contractor, or other authorized individual in performing administrative, analytical, clerical, or other related functions.

(d)

Rule of construction

Nothing in subsection (c) may be construed to permit the Department to use artificial intelligence to interact directly with a covered individual.

(e)

Covered individual defined

In this section, the term covered individual means—

(1)

a veteran;

(2)

a survivor or dependent of a veteran;

(3)

a caregiver of a veteran;

(4)

an individual who is seeking to determine eligibility for, apply for, or receive a benefit or service under laws administered by the Secretary; or

(5)

any other individual interacting with the Department in connection with a benefit, service, program, or activity under laws administered by the Secretary.