Overview

• The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act took effect on August 1, making Illinois the first state to impose enforceable regulations on AI-based mental health services.
• The law prohibits AI from independently conducting therapy or making treatment decisions without review by a licensed mental health professional.
• Licensed therapists can employ AI tools solely for support tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing and administrative work.
• Violations of the act carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, with fines scaling based on the severity of each infraction.
• The legislation passed the Illinois House and Senate unanimously, reflecting bipartisan support at a time when federal regulators are weighing AI oversight plans.