Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the offense of aggravated battery based on the status of the victim, includes the battery of a health care worker: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Deletes provision that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a nurse while in the performance of his or her duties as a nurse. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Defines "health care worker".
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a health care worker (rather than a nurse) while in the performance of his or her duties as a health care worker (rather than a nurse). Provides that "health care worker" has the meaning provided in the Health Care Violence Prevention Act.
Amends the Public Employee Disability Act, the Line of Duty Compensation Act, and the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Includes mental health professionals within the scope of the Acts. Defines "mental health professional" as any person employed and dispatched by a unit of local government to respond to crisis calls received on public emergency service lines instead of or in conjunction with law enforcement.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands the classes of persons eligible for medical assistance to include, beginning January 1, 2027 and subject to any federal waivers or approvals necessary for implementation, persons licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, the Nurse Practice Act, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act. Permits such licensed persons to apply for medical assistance by submitting an application to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services between January 1 and March 31. Requires the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to determine the form and manner of submitting an application. Requires the Department to post application instructions on its website. Requires an eligible person who satisfies all application requirements to pay a premium for medical assistance coverage that shall be no higher than 5% of the person's annual income. Provides that any premiums paid shall be automatically allocated to the Department's medical assistance budget for the next fiscal year. Requires the Department to adopt rules.
Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires hospitals licensed under the Act to employ and schedule enough hospital workers to provide quality patient care and ensure patient safety. Establishes requirements concerning the reporting of staffing metrics for hospitals and the Department of Public Health. Sets forth provisions concerning competency validation credentials for each hospital worker hired; assignment despite objection forms and procedures; and an assignment despite objection resolution process. Provides that a hospital may not assign a certified nursing assistant or patient care technician to more than 7 patients at a time during a day or evening shift or more than 11 patients at a time during a night shift. Sets forth provisions concerning direct-care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and deviations from the ratio; complaint procedures; the Department's duties concerning complaints; meal and rest periods; investigations for violating staffing requirements; penalties and violations; recordkeeping requirements of a hospital; and rulemaking by the Department.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that companies that issue medical liability insurance must evaluate premium rates based on the specific scope of practice of each insured physician who specializes in obstetric and gynecologic services (OB-GYN), considering whether the OB-GYN provides obstetric services, including childbirth, or limits the OB-GYN's practice to gynecologic services only. Requires companies that issue medical liability insurance to classify OB-GYNs who do not provide obstetric services as lower-risk providers for the purposes of determining premium rates. Requires the Department of Insurance to establish guidelines for companies that issue medical liability insurance to classify and adjust premiums based on the risk profiles of OB-GYNs.
Declares May 6 through May 12, 2025 as Nurses Week and June 12 through June 18, 2025 as CNA Week in the State of Illinois in recognition of the contributions of nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) throughout the State. Recognizes the need to invest in the nursing and CNA workforce through policies that address staffing shortages, provide mental health support, and improve working conditions for healthcare workers. Encourages all residents, businesses, and healthcare organizations to show appreciation for nurses and CNAs and support efforts to enhance the nursing profession and CNA workforce, including workforce development, education, and workplace well-being. Encourages the residents of Illinois to celebrate the accomplishments and efforts of registered nurses and CNAs to improve the healthcare system.
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that a certified nurse midwife with full practice authority may enter into a written collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse. Provides that an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife may enter into a written collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse with full practice authority who is certified as a nurse midwife or a physician. Provides that, for an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife, the clinical experience shall be in collaboration with a certified nurse midwife with full practice authority. Makes conforming changes in provisions concerning written collaborative agreements, prescriptive authority under a written collaborative agreement, and full practice authority.
Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, the Pharmacy Practice Act, and the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides that, during State fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall allow individuals in rural counties a one-time waiver of fees imposed under specific provisions in each Act. Effective immediately.
