Senate Republicans List New State Laws – 19

A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, continues.

The Illinois House of Representatives chamber from the Democratic Party side of the floor.

The Illinois House of Representatives chamber from the Democratic Party side of the floor.

Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.

The State Senate meets on the third floor of the north side of the Illinois State Capitol.

However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.

A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, follows.

Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.

However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.

Health and Human Services continued

Physician Discipline Files (HB 1327/PA 98-0210): Requires physician profiles maintained by the Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation must contain a description of any criminal convictions for felonies and Class A misdemeanors within the last 10 years, rather than the current five years.

Mental Health Records (HB 1458/PA 98-0221): This measure would allow an individual to consent to the release of his or her own mental health records. It would also clarify that the custodian of a mentally ill person can seek a court order to have the individual transported to a mental health facility. Current law only allows for transfer to a hospital.

Illinois ADA Update (HB 1462/PA 98-0224): Brings Illinois’ accessibility requirements for the disabled in line with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act.

Health Care Worker Badge Requirement (HB 2452/PA 98-0243): Requires all health care facility workers who examine or treat a patient in Illinois to wear an ID badge with first name, licensure, and staff position. Current law requires this only from health care facilities licensed in Illinois. New bill would cover all facilities.

Flu Shots (HB 3191/PA 98-0271): Requires hospitals in the state to offer flu shots to all patients admitted from Sept. 1 to April 1 each year.

Epilepsy Deaths (SB 1226/PA 98-0340): Requires all autopsies in the state to include an inquiry as to whether the death was the result of a seizure or epilepsy. Also creates a definition of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP.)

AIDS/ARC/HIV School Reporting Repeal (HB 61/PA-0353): Repeals language requiring the Illinois Department of Public Health or local health departments to report cases of AIDS, ARC, or HIV to the school an infected child attends.

Infectious Medical Waste (HB 702/PA 98-0366): Affects the handling of “potentially infectious medical waste” (PIMW), to grant an exemption for “sharps” (for example needles or blood testing pins) that are packaged before being disposed of, so that they are non-potentially infectious. Currently, sharps are excluded from the definition of the term “potentially infectious medical waste” (PIMW) if their infectious potential is eliminated through treatment and they are rendered unrecognizable by that treatment. Once PIMW has been treated and the sharps have been packaged properly, they can be placed in a landfill.

Funds from Facility Closures (HB 1683/PA-0403): Whenever a state-operated mental health or developmental disability facility is closed, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is required, at the direction of the Governor, to transfer funds from the closed facility to the appropriate line item for the new venue of care, provided the new venue is a DHS- funded provider.

Cancer Disability (HB 1809/PA-0405): Expands the definition of disabled within the vehicle code to include persons whose ability to walk is severely limited due to cancer.

HFPB Jurisdiction Exemption (HB 2423/PA 98-0414):  Exempts doctors working under a contract with a facility from the jurisdiction of the Health Facilities Planning Board (HFPB). Requires that the HFPB must adopt rules changing its category of services.

Trafficking Tattoo Removal Reimbursement (HB 2640/PA 98-0435):  Provides that victims of human trafficking may be reimbursed the cost of removing a tattoo that was applied in connection with the commission of human trafficking.

Out of State Transfers (HB 2760/PA 98-0448): Would allow an out of state physician to oversee and direct home care services for patients living in Illinois while a patient is transitioned to an in-state doctor. Would allow 90 days for the transition.

Childhood Cancer Research (HB 3003/PA-0464): Creates the Childhood Cancer Research Advisory Board to review grant applications and make recommendations to the Illinois Department of Public Health in the awarding of grants for childhood cancer research. Prohibits members of the board from being paid or receiving reimbursement for expenses.

New Americans (HB 3047/PA 98-0467): Creates the Governor’s Office of New Americans, aimed at helping immigrants assimilate into society.


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