093_HB0006ham001 LRB093 02058 MKM 08331 a 1 AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 6 2 AMENDMENT NO. . Amend House Bill 6, on page 11, 3 immediately below line 8, by inserting the following: 4 "Section 20. The Emergency Medical Services Systems Act 5 is amended by adding Section 3.21 as follows: 6 (210 ILCS 50/3.21 new) 7 Sec. 3.21. Hospital first responders. The General 8 Assembly finds that in the event of terrorist acts, 9 especially those involving the release of biological agents, 10 bacteria, viruses, or other agents intended to cause illness 11 or injury, hospitals serve as first responders in diagnosing 12 and treating the victims of those acts. As first responders, 13 hospitals are on the front lines of the State's emergency 14 management efforts. Given the increased demands for 15 equipment, materials, and training associated with their 16 responsibility as first responders in the event of terrorist 17 acts, hospitals would benefit from additional resources to 18 enable them to be better prepared to protect and aid the 19 residents of the State. In awarding funds to support disaster 20 preparedness by first responders, the Department and any 21 other State agencies shall take into account the role of 22 hospitals in being prepared to respond to emergencies or -2- LRB093 02058 MKM 08331 a 1 disasters.".