NURS HM-ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that a complaint regarding an alleged violation of the Nursing Home Care Act may be transmitted to the Department of Public Health by electronic means. Provides that when a person requests that the Department investigate an alleged violation of the Act, the Department shall require (instead of shall request) the complainant's identifying information. Allows the complainant to request that his or her identifying information remain confidential or that the complaint be treated as anonymous, and requires the Department to maintain the complainant's confidentiality or anonymity unless: (1) the complainant consents to the disclosure in writing, (2) the Department's investigation results in a judicial proceeding, (3) disclosure of the complainant's identity is essential to the investigation, or (4) disclosure of the complainant's identity is essential for the purposes of investigating or prosecuting the complainant's alleged knowing transmission of a false report to the Department. Effective immediately.