United States of America: Bill on the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB 1806/Public Act 104-0054) entered into force

On 1 August 2025, the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB1806, Public Act 104-0054) entered into force pursuant to Section 99 on the effective date, which provides that the Act takes effect upon becoming law. The Act prohibits any individual, corporation, or entity from providing, advertising, or otherwise offering therapy or psychotherapy services, including through the use of Internet-based artificial intelligence (AI), unless such services are conducted by a licensed professional as defined under the Act. It permits licensed professionals to use AI solely in administrative or supplementary support functions, subject to consent and disclosure requirements, and expressly forbids AI from making independent therapeutic decisions, engaging in therapeutic communication, generating treatment plans without licensed review, or detecting emotions or mental states. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is granted investigative and enforcement authority, including the imposition of civil penalties up to USD 10'000 per violation, with exceptions for religious counselling, peer support, and publicly available self-help materials.