IL WOPR Act
Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act
Illinois law prohibiting licensed professionals from using AI systems to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients in therapeutic communication, or detect emotions/mental states. AI limited to administrative and supplementary support with licensed professional oversight.
Jurisdiction
Illinois
US-IL
Enacted
Aug 1, 2025
Effective
Aug 1, 2025
Enforcement
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Public Act 104-0054; enacted and effective immediately
What It Requires
Who Must Comply
This law applies to:
- • Licensed mental health professionals in Illinois
- • Therapy and psychotherapy service providers
- • AI systems used in mental health care settings
Capability triggers:
Safety Provisions
- • AI cannot make independent therapeutic decisions
- • AI cannot directly interact with clients in therapeutic communication
- • AI cannot generate therapeutic recommendations or treatment plans without licensed professional review
- • AI cannot detect emotions or mental states
- • Written consent required if client sessions are recorded/transcribed for AI use
- • Clear disclosure to clients about AI use and specific purpose
Compliance Timeline
Aug 1, 2025
Law takes effect immediately
Enforcement
Enforced by
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Penalties
$10K/violation
Up to $10,000 per violation; payment due within 60 days of order
Quick Facts
- Binding
- Yes
- Mental Health Focus
- Yes
- Child Safety Focus
- Yes
- Algorithmic Scope
- Yes
Why It Matters
Establishes critical precedent for mental health AI regulation. Defines clear boundaries: AI can provide administrative support and crisis detection/referrals (NOPE's role) but cannot replace licensed professionals in therapeutic decision-making or emotion detection. Prohibits AI from making independent mental health treatment decisions.
Recent Developments
First state law to explicitly prohibit AI from making independent therapeutic decisions and detecting emotions/mental states. Enacted August 1, 2025 with immediate effect.
What You Need to Comply
Licensed professionals must maintain oversight of all AI systems used in mental health settings. AI is explicitly prohibited from making therapeutic decisions, detecting emotions, or interacting directly with clients in therapeutic contexts. Written informed consent required for any AI use involving client data.
NOPE can helpCite This
APA
Illinois. (2025). Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act. Retrieved from https://nope.net/regs/us-il-hb1806
BibTeX
@misc{us_il_hb1806,
title = {Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act},
author = {Illinois},
year = {2025},
url = {https://nope.net/regs/us-il-hb1806}
} Related Regulations
IL AIVIA
Requires notice, consent, and transparency for AI analysis of video job interviews. Early state-level AI employment regulation.
NY RAISE Act
Requires large AI developers of frontier models operating in New York to create safety protocols, report critical incidents within 72 hours, conduct annual reviews, and undergo independent audits. Creates dedicated DFS office funded by developer fees.
CA SB 942
Requires large GenAI providers (1M+ monthly users) to provide free AI detection tools, embed latent disclosures (watermarks/metadata) in AI-generated content, and offer optional manifest (visible) disclosures to users.
VT AADC
Vermont design code structured to be more litigation-resistant: focuses on data processing harms rather than content-based restrictions. AG rulemaking authority begins July 2025.
NE AADC
Nebraska design code blending privacy-by-design with engagement constraints (feeds, notifications, time limits) aimed at reducing compulsive use.
CA AB 489
Prohibits AI systems from using terms, letters, or phrases that falsely indicate or imply possession of a healthcare professional license.