IL HB1806: THERAPY RESOURCES OVERSIGHT

In one paragraph

Illinois' Public Act 104-0054 (HB 1806) creates the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act. No one may provide, advertise or offer therapy or psychotherapy services to the public in Illinois, including through Internet-based AI, unless a licensed professional conducts them. Licensed professionals may use AI only for administrative and supplementary support, need written notice and consent for supplementary-support AI on recorded or transcribed sessions, and may not let AI make independent therapeutic decisions, communicate therapeutically with clients or detect emotions or mental states. Civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Approved and effective August 1, 2025.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

AI chatbot and wellness app makers may not provide, advertise or offer therapy or psychotherapy to the Illinois public unless a licensed professional conducts it; therapists may use AI only for administrative and supplementary support. Civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

Key provisions

1. 1No individual, corporation or entity may provide, advertise or otherwise offer therapy or psychotherapy services, including through Internet-based AI, to the public in Illinois unless the services are conducted by a licensed professional (Section 20(a))
2. 2Permitted use: licensed professionals may use AI only for administrative support (scheduling, billing and insurance claims, logistics communications without therapeutic advice) or supplementary support (client records and therapy notes, anonymized progress data subject to their review, resources and referrals), keeping full responsibility for all interactions, outputs and data use
3. 3AI may not assist with supplementary support where a session is recorded or transcribed unless the patient or legally authorized representative is told in writing that AI will be used and its specific purpose, and consents; consent must be an explicit, revocable written agreement, not acceptance of general terms of use, hovering over, muting, pausing or closing content, or agreement obtained through deceptive actions
4. 4Licensed professionals may not allow AI to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients in any form of therapeutic communication, generate therapeutic recommendations or treatment plans without their review and approval, or detect emotions or mental states
5. 5Licensed professionals include clinical psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, authorized alcohol and drug counselors, music therapists, advanced practice psychiatric nurses and other professionals authorized to provide therapy, except physicians; therapy records and communications are confidential except as required under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
6. 6The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may investigate and, after a hearing, impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation based on the degree of harm and circumstances, payable within 60 days
7. 7Does not apply to religious counseling, peer support, or public self-help and educational materials that do not purport to offer therapy or psychotherapy
8. 8Approved by the Governor August 1, 2025 (Public Act 104-0054); effective upon becoming law, August 1, 2025

Latest legislative action

Aug 1, 2025. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0054

Sponsors (showing 5 of 19)

Roll call votes

Amendments (3)

• House Amendment 001 Not adopted 2025-02-28
• House Amendment 002 Not adopted 2025-03-07
• Senate Amendment 001 Not adopted 2025-05-01