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Illinois becomes the first state to regulate the use of AI for mental health services.

Illinois is officially staking its claim in the wild west of AI regulation. In a landmark move, state lawmakers have passed a bill banning AI from acting as a standalone therapist and placing firm guardrails on how mental health professionals can use AI to support care. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law on Aug. 1.

The legislation, dubbed the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, was introduced by Rep. Bob Morgan and makes one thing clear: only licensed professionals can deliver therapeutic or psychotherapeutic services to another human being.

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[-] darkangelazuarl@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago
[-] Almonds@mander.xyz 22 points 2 days ago

That's surprisingly progressive from Illinois

[-] Nougat@fedia.io 22 points 2 days ago

IL was the first state to legalize marijuana in the state legislature. They also passed no bail legislation. Lots of good things happening in IL, and this is exactly what I would expect.

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 3 points 2 days ago

Yeah Especially given the surrounding states. Its kinda good in a way as folks in the surround states come to enjoy a few freedoms. The big problem with illinois is the graft. Grow only allowed for medical which requires a yearly fee. So its does great things but in kinda a weenie bullshit way but its better than not having it.

[-] Nougat@fedia.io 3 points 2 days ago

Grow only allowed for medical ...

I'm kind of okay with that. It's no secret that Illinois had some serious budget issues before legalization. Allowing recreational personal grow would undercut desperately needed tax revenue, and essentially create a bigger black market, not to mention the issue of black market product being adulterated and creating public health concerns. When you go to the weed store, you know what you're getting.

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

Meh. They limit licenses to assure monopoly. I mean granted its similar with alcohol. I get the state needs money but I don't view legalization as about funding as much as rights. I have to say though that I wish there was severe restrictions on advertising. I actually would like advertising to be restricted to other "adult" industries. So no billboards or ads in papers or online except in the other adult locations. So inside their physical locations and websites. I would also like to not allow online things unless they have a physical presence in the state and they should have to take responsibility for the amount of gambling for a user the same as they would for a physical person at the physical location.

[-] Almonds@mander.xyz 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I'll admit that all I know of IL is being on hold while the Navy found a home for me, and the juggalo I eventually married.

[-] Shanedino@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

How did this get 15 up votes its just like a completely false opinion. If this said texas sure.

[-] Jomega@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

What makes you say that? We're one of the more progressive states.

[-] TherapyGary 5 points 2 days ago

It's already illegal to use terms like "therapy" this way in most, if not all, US states. The loophole/grey area they're using is that the existing restrictions use words like "person"/"individual", so by the letter of the law (if you're an idiot) LLMs/bots are exempt

this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2025
213 points (100.0% liked)

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