Illinois Governor JB Pritzker earlier signed the Mental Resource Health and Regulation Act (HB 1806), officially禁止The state is the first in the US to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental health field. This move not only reflects local governments’ concerns about the risks of emerging technologies, but may also be in line with the Trump administration’s recent proposal to ban artificial intelligence in mental health services.Ten-year ban on state-level artificial intelligence regulationConflict arises.
The new law stipulates that only licensed professionals can provide psychological counseling services in Illinois, and prohibits AI chatbots or tools from acting as independent therapists. Furthermore, licensed therapists may not rely on AI to make "therapeutic decisions" or conduct "therapeutic communication," limiting the use of AI in mental health to supplemental support, such as scheduling, billing, or other administrative tasks.
In an interview with the media, Illinois Congressman Bob Morgan said that there have been cases showing that some people in crisis have mistakenly believed that artificial intelligence is a qualified therapist, and as a result, they have been led to dangerous or even fatal behavioral suggestions during conversations. He emphasized that the purpose of enacting the new law is to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
To strengthen enforcement, the new law imposes fines of up to $1 per violation, applicable to both businesses and individuals. Mario Treto Jr., Commissioner of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, noted that this legislation demonstrates the state's commitment to protecting the mental health of its residents and ensuring that psychological services are provided by trained professionals who prioritize the interests of their patients.
The "Mental Resource Health and Regulation Act" received unanimous support in both the House and Senate, reflecting a strong bipartisan wariness regarding the integration of artificial intelligence into psychotherapy. However, this move has also raised concerns at the legal and policy levels. The Trump administration's recently released AI policy blueprint calls for a ban on all state-level AI regulation over the next decade to ensure national consistency and freedom of innovation. Illinois's move may be the first test of federal policy enforcement.
In the tech industry, OpenAI recently announced that it is strengthening its models' ability to identify users experiencing psychological or emotional distress, and will proactively remind users to take breaks during unusually long conversations. Despite this, Illinois' legislation demonstrates that local governments are willing to adopt more stringent protective measures than industry self-regulation in areas involving life safety and professional ethics.
As generative artificial intelligence and chatbots rapidly penetrate various industries, Illinois' ban may trigger a new round of regulatory disputes between other states and the federal government, and may also affect the development path of artificial intelligence in the medical and mental health fields.
