HPV PREVENTION

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the School Code, and the Communicable Disease Prevention Act. Requires that the Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force identify strategies that are effective in reducing the number of women who are unscreened and under-screened for cervical cancer; increase awareness about human papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia, the availability and efficacy of the HPV vaccine in the prevention of the disease, and the importance of providing it to young females; and assist in the development and implementation of a plan to provide HPV vaccines to the maximum extent possible throughout the State. Requires that, beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the parent or legal guardian of a female child entering the sixth grade for the first time must submit a statement signed by a physician to the effect that the parent or guardian received information on the connection between HPV and cervical cancer and verifying that the child received the HPV vaccine or that the parent or guardian, having received the information, elected not to have the child receive the HPV vaccine and that the child did not receive the HPV vaccine. Requires a school to include the number of HPV-vaccinated children in its report to the State Board of Education. Requires that the Department of Public Health develop and disseminate information about HPV and the HPV vaccine to physicians, local public health departments, health clinics, and other appropriate healthcare professionals. Provides that the Department may pay for health insurance coverage with funds appropriated for this purpose on behalf of persons who are not otherwise covered by a public or private plan for the cost of acquisition and administration of the HPV vaccine.