Healthcare

Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a health insurance issuer, the fee-for-service medical assistance program, and a Medicaid managed care organization may not require prior authorization for the following prescription drug types and their therapeutic equivalents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration: human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis medication or human immunodeficiency virus treatment medication. Effective January 1, 2027.

Urges regulators and enforcement agencies to increase inspections and ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers reduce the selling of unlawful, kid-friendly vapes. Urges for strengthened coordination between State agencies, law enforcement, school districts, and public health authorities to reduce youth access to illegal vape products and protect the health of all students.

Declares July 10, 2026 as Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to continue educating the public on the importance of vaccination, initiate meaningful dialogue around vaccination, and encourage the uptake of recommended vaccines. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to inform healthcare providers and Illinois residents that vaccinations are a highly effective and safe public health measure and to increase public awareness about the importance of all Illinois residents receiving immunizations as recommended. Urges IDPH to specify the differences between recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and those issued by professional medical societies and to promote vaccination outreach and education initiatives that emphasize the importance of communication between patients and healthcare providers. Urges IDPH to continue prioritizing immunization initiatives and policies and to invest in immunization infrastructure to ensure broad and open access to immunizations. Urges IDPH to strengthen the State's public health preparedness, encourage the promotion and sharing of evidence-based vaccine recommendations, improve cross-state collaboration, and respond effectively to federal vaccine policies that lack scientific basis. Urges the Governor to explore joining a multi-state public health collaborative.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the End-of-life Care Peer Support Program. Provides that the program is available to terminally ill persons committed to the Department of Corrections. Provides that the program shall be administered by the Department of Corrections in partnership with certain health care providers. Provides that individual patients may accept or decline care or participation in the program. Provides that individual patients shall define the scope of peer support, including the option to opt out of certain aspects of support. Provides that patient care plans shall be developed with the individual patient, the patient's peer support attendants, and the interdisciplinary team. Provides that participating patients shall be subject to the least restrictive security measures possible, with access to comfort items such as blankets, memorabilia, music, and books. Provides that participating patients shall have the following rights: (1) the right to dignity, privacy, respect, and culturally competent care; (2) the right to request peer support services; (3) the right to refuse services; and (4) the right to request family visitation. Provides that all participants in the program, including patients and peer support attendants, shall have access to grief counseling and mental health care services as needed. Provides that the program shall be funded through: (1) the Individual Benefit Fund; (2) direct appropriations from the General Revenue Fund; and (3) federal appropriations if applicable.

Declares July 28, 2026 as Hepatitis B Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Urges promotion of hepatitis B vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure and supports removal of barriers to vaccination. Encourages development of an effective and actionable state hepatitis B strategic plan, as well as establishment of a hepatitis B working group to develop measurable goals.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall create and implement, on January 1, 2027, a pilot program to establish the effectiveness of long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders for persons committed to its custody who suffer from opioid use disorders. Provides that the pilot program shall require long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders to be used in at least one Department of Corrections facility. Provides that the Director may expand the pilot program to include an additional facility or facilities as he or she deems appropriate. Provides that a minimum of 4,000 administrations of long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders shall be included in the pilot program. Provides that the Department shall develop a plan to facilitate access to continued treatment for opioid use disorders in the community following the release of a person participating in the pilot program, including, but not limited to, a referral to a harm reduction provider. Provides that the Department must report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the program by January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 shall cover a medically necessary coronary calcium scan and scoring every 36 months for individuals over the age of 40. Defines "coronary calcium scan and scoring". Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that whenever psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy is refused under a specified provision at least once that day, the psychiatrist or advanced practice psychiatric nurse (instead of the physician) shall determine and state in writing the reasons why the recipient did not meet the criteria for the administration of medication or electroconvulsive therapy and whether the recipient meets the standard for administration of psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy under a provision concerning the administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy upon application to a court. Provides that a petition requesting that the court authorize treatment with psychotropic medication shall specify the full names of the medications and anticipated range of dosage that comprise such treatment. Provides that no administration of psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy without the informed consent of the recipient may be authorized unless at least one psychiatrist or advanced practice psychiatric nurse who has examined the recipient testifies in person at the hearing. Makes other changes to definitions and provisions concerning administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy upon application to a court.