Healthcare

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Deletes the definition of "public health setting". Provides that, after completion of a training program, a public health dental hygienist may provide services according to the terms of a supervision agreement (rather than may operate in a public health setting that meets the requirements in the Act) with a dentist who is working in or has contracted with a local or State government agency or institution or who is providing services as part of a certified school-based program or school-based oral health program. Provides that care provided by a public health dental hygienist under a supervision agreement may take place in any setting outside of a private dental office.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. In provisions concerning monetary penalties for noncompliance with minimum staffing standards, provides that monetary penalties shall be established based on a formula that calculates on a quarterly basis (instead of a daily basis). Provides that the monetary penalty may not be waived, except where there is no more than a 10% deviation from the staffing requirements, in which case the facility shall not receive a penalty. Makes changes regarding the notice that a facility that has received a notice of violation for a violation of the minimum staffing requirements shall display. Effective immediately.

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that none of the provisions of the Act shall prevent an unlicensed person from engaging in a standardized 5-needle protocol if the person satisfies specified conditions. Provides that the treatment utilizing the 5-needle protocol shall be limited to the insertion of disposable, sterile acupuncture needles into the ear and only in compliance with the 5-needle protocol. Provides that the application or insertion of needles anywhere else on the body of another person by a person shall be considered engaging in the practice of acupuncture without a license.

Amends the College Student Immunization Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, for a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) requirement, if a student who enrolls in a post-secondary educational institution cannot provide the dates on which the student received 3 or more doses of a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis containing vaccine, then the student must provide at least one date on which the student received a dose of the vaccine not more than 10 years prior to the beginning of the term of current enrollment. Provides that additional doses of either a Tdap vaccine or a tetanus and diphtheria vaccine shall be administered in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention catch-up schedule, as needed, to complete a series of at least 3 doses, including any prior doses of specified vaccines. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for dates of service starting July 1, 2025, reimbursement calculations and direct payment for services provided by facilities licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act are the responsibility of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services instead of the Department of Human Services. Requires appropriations for the facilities licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act to be shifted from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that nothing shall prohibit the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from paying more than the rates specified in the Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to work with the Department of Human Services to study and review the reimbursement calculations and direct payments for facilities licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act and for facilities licensed under the MC/DD Act. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to revise all Department forms and billing codes to remove the term "mental retardation" and replace it with "intellectual disability".

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the personal needs allowance for a qualifying medical assistance recipient who is a resident in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act shall equal $100. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the personal needs allowance shall increase annually at the same rate as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to take effect on January 1 of each year.

Creates the Support for Family Home Health Aides and Caregivers Act. Requires the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, no later than one year after the effective date of the Act, a Family Home Health Aide Program for the purposes of training a family caregiver of an eligible relative on the provision of qualified home health services to supplement home health and private duty nursing services in the State. Provides that under the program, the Director must certify a family caregiver of an eligible relative who has successfully completed the approved training for family home health aides, and meets all other applicable requirements established by the State, and is determined to be in compliance with any federal law concerning family home health aides. Provides that, subject to federal approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a certified family home health aide shall be eligible to provide qualified home health services to an eligible relative under any home and community-based services waiver program authorized under the Social Security Act. Contains provisions concerning the development of training requirements for family home health aides; certification requirements for family home health aides; employment opportunities; the different types of home health services; a requirement to triage services based on clinical acuity; the development of a clinical acuity tool to assist in determining the care needs of medically fragile individuals; the establishment of a respite program for family home health aides and other nursing professionals; reimbursement rates for home health aide services; utilization of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' electronic verification system; reporting requirements; and rulemaking.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to veterans hospital visits to references to veterans medical appointments. Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).

Appropriates $2,950,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education to address shortages of school psychologists in this State through specified methods. Effective July 1, 2025.