I
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
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.
Contents of disclosure
A disclosure under subsection (a) shall include—
a clear statement that the covered individual is interacting with an artificial intelligence system and not a human employee of the Department; and
an identification of the general purpose for which the artificial intelligence system is being used.
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.
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.
Covered individual defined
In this section, the term covered individual
means—
a veteran;
a survivor or dependent of a veteran;
a caregiver of a veteran;
an individual who is seeking to determine eligibility for, apply for, or receive a benefit or service under laws administered by the Secretary; or
any other individual interacting with the Department in connection with a benefit, service, program, or activity under laws administered by the Secretary.