Illinois is the first U.S. State to pass and enact a law banning AI therapy as a stand-alone mental health service.
True
Illinois becomes the first U. S. state to ban AI therapy.
Illinois is the first state to ban AI therapists
Source: engadget.com
At a glance
Verified August 7, 2025Key Evidence
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill banning AI therapy, making Illinois the first state to regulate AI in mental health services.
engadget.comengadget.comIllinois is the first state to ban AI therapists
The new law prohibits companies from offering or selling AI therapy services or using AI for clinical decisions without licensed professional oversight.
transparencycoalition.aitransparencycoalition.aiIllinois Gov. Pritzer signs nation’s first law banning AI therapy chatbots
Illinois is recognized as the first U.S. State to restrict AI from acting as a stand-alone therapist.
tekedia.comtekedia.comIllinois Defies Federal Push With First Law Banning AI From Acting as a...
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple independent sources confirm that Illinois has become the first state in the United States to ban AI therapy. The legislation, signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, prohibits AI systems from providing therapy or counseling services without supervision by a licensed human professional. This law specifically targets AI therapy chatbots and other AI-driven mental health services, making Illinois a pioneer in regulating AI use in psychological care. The law aims to ensure that mental health treatment remains under human oversight to protect patient safety and maintain clinical standards.
Key points include:
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law, making it effective immediately.
The law bans companies from offering or selling AI therapy services or using AI to make clinical decisions independently.
Licensed professionals must supervise any use of AI in mental health treatment.
Illinois is the first state to enact such comprehensive regulation on AI therapy, defying broader federal regulatory trends.
This legislative move reflects growing concerns about the ethical and clinical implications of AI in sensitive fields like mental health.
Primary trail
Verified Sources7
Open source