Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

Urges the General Assembly to explore supporting and protecting responders to public health emergencies.

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Exempts volunteers certified in first aid according to the standards of the American Red Cross or other nationally recognized certifying agency who, in good faith, provide generally accepted first aid assistance, treatment, and referrals to licensed health care providers at a first aid station from liability for civil damages as a result of their acts or omissions in providing the first aid treatment, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Effective immediately.

Recommends the creation of the Nutrition Advisory Committee to recommend to the General Assembly school standards for nutrition.

Amends the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Creates the Cellular Telephone 911 Access Committee. Provides that the Committee shall establish what is technologically and economically feasible to ensure that cellular telephone emergency 911 calls are connected when possible. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning child care for TANF recipients, provides that the Department of Human Services shall conduct a study of State-subsidized child care costs for families throughout this State, as well as in surrounding states, and shall recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly ways to reduce the current family co-payment schedule for child care. Effective immediately.

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides an exemption from civil liability for emergency care or treatment or supplies given in good faith which are related to or arise out of a public health emergency. Liability for civil damages will be imposed for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care or treatment or supplies. Defines a "public health emergency". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a dentist's written order to a hygienist of necessary services for patients in a long-term care facility or a mental health or developmental disability facility who are unable to travel to a dental office must be implemented within 120 (rather than 90) days of its issuance.

Appropriates $2,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the operation of the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization program under the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization Act. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the names of candidates on a petition or certificate for nomination.

Amends the State Finance Act and the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2004, the Department of Revenue shall by rule expand the classes of drugs covered under the pharmaceutical assistance program beyond those covered as of January 1, 2003, subject to appropriations. Requires the Department to negotiate and enter into agreements with drug manufacturers for rebates in excess of those received by the State as a result of contracts with third parties on January 1, 2003. Provides for the deposit of those rebates and other moneys into the Prescription Drug Assistance Fund, which is created as a special fund in the State treasury, and for the appropriation of moneys in the fund for the purpose of expanding the classes of drugs covered under the pharmaceutical assistance program beyond those covered as of January 1, 2003. Effective immediately.