Creates a joint legislative task force to make recommendations concerning the proper budgeting of funds received as a result of "The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003".
Creates the Nurse Licensure Compact Act. Allows for reciprocity of licensure of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses among the states. Provides for administration of the Compact by the Nursing Act Coordinator. Provides that the licensing board shall participate in a Compact Evaluation Initiative designed to evaluate the effectiveness and operability of the Compact. Provides that the Compact does not relieve employers from complying with statutorily imposed obligations. Provides that the Compact does not supersede existing State labor laws. Amends the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act to make changes relating to the purposes of the Compact. Effective immediately.
Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act to January 1, 2014. Amends the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Changes the defined terms "registered occupational therapist" and "certified occupational therapy assistant" to "occupational therapist" and "occupational therapy assistant" and makes conforming changes throughout the Act. Makes changes in the definitions of "occupational therapy services" and "an aide in occupational therapy". Changes the name of the Board to the Illinois Occupational Licensure Board. Adds occupational therapists to provisions concerning restoration of an inactive license. Effective immediately.
Creates the Disease and Symptom Complex Surveillance and Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop a statewide system for reporting data on disease symptoms and symptom complexes. Provides for confidentiality of information and immunity from liability for reporting entities. Makes violation of the Act a Class A misdemeanor and authorizes administrative penalties. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Mandates Act to exempt from reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a physician assistant may be employed by a practice group or other entity employing multiple physicians at one location. Provides that, in that case, (i) one of the physicians practicing at that location shall be designated the primary supervising physician and (ii) each physician practicing at that location may supervise the physician assistant with respect to the patients of that physician, and shall not be deemed an alternate supervising physician. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections by July 1, 2005 to set standards for polling place and voting accessibility for disabled and elderly citizens with which local election authorities must comply. Specifies minimum standards. Requires local election authorities to survey polling places and report by January 1, 2006 to the State Board of Elections. Permits a local election authority to provide a curbside voting service where there is no accessible alternative to the polling place. Requires local election authorities to train precinct judges in accessibility and designate one judge per precinct as accessibility coordinator. Requires the State Board of Elections to set accessibility standards for voting equipment and systems, and requires local election authorities to meet those standards when purchasing, upgrading, or replacing equipment and systems. Effective immediately.
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates the Medical Malpractice Task Force. Outlines the membership and duties of the Medical Malpractice Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly containing recommendations for uniform levels of compensation for particular injuries by June 30, 2005.
Amends the Election Code. With respect to the prohibition against campaign contributions on State property, defines "State property". Removes the "face-to-face" element of prohibited acceptance of contributions on public property. Changes the prohibition against fundraising functions within 50 miles of Springfield to a prohibition against fundraising functions within 50 miles of the State Capitol.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to award grants to all practicing physicians (instead of only to physicians offering obstetrical medical services in rural areas) for the purpose of reimbursing the costs of obtaining malpractice insurance. Requires the Department to establish reasonable conditions, standards, and duties relating to the grants.
