Overview

• The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act took effect on August 1, barring AI platforms from delivering mental health evaluations, counseling or treatment plans without licensed professional supervision.
• Licensed practitioners may employ AI solely for administrative and supplementary tasks, including appointment reminders and anonymized data analysis, provided they retain full responsibility and secure patient consent.
• The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will investigate violations and impose penalties of up to $10,000 per incident to ensure compliance.
• Officials cited American Psychological Association warnings and Stanford research on AI bias to underscore that chatbots lack the empathy, nuanced understanding and accountability required for safe therapy.
• Building on measures in Nevada, Utah and New York, Illinois’s law intensifies a national movement to govern AI’s role in mental healthcare.