SB0232sam001 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. William R. Haine

Filed: 4/23/2014

09800SB0232sam001 LRB098 05432 ZMM 58628 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 232

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 232 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Sections 2105-130 and 2105-135 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2105/2105-130 new)

Sec. 2105-130. Determination of disciplinary sanctions.

(a) Upon a finding by the Department that a person has committed a violation of any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to licenses, certificates, or authorities of persons exercising the respective professions, trades, or occupations, the Department may revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, fine, or take any other disciplinary action as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to those licenses, certificates, or authorities. When making a determination of the appropriate disciplinary sanction to be imposed, the Department shall consider only evidence contained in the record. The Department shall consider any aggravating or mitigating factors contained in the record when determining the appropriate disciplinary sanction to be imposed.

(b) When making a determination of the appropriate disciplinary sanction to be imposed, the Department shall consider, but is not limited to, the following aggravating factors contained in the record:

(1) the seriousness of the offenses;

(2) the presence of multiple offenses;

(3) prior disciplinary history, including actions taken by other agencies in this State or by other states or jurisdictions, hospitals, health care facilities, residency programs, employers, insurance providers, or any of the armed forces of the United States or any state;

(4) the impact of the offenses on any injured party;

(5) the vulnerability of any injured party, including, but not limited to, consideration of the injured party's age, disability, or mental illness;

(6) the motive for the offenses;

(7) the lack of contrition for the offenses;

(8) financial gain as a result of committing the offenses; and

(9) the lack of cooperation with the Department or other investigative authorities.

(c) When making a determination of the appropriate disciplinary sanction to be imposed, the Department shall consider, but is not limited to, the following mitigating factors contained in the record:

(1) the lack of prior disciplinary action by the Department or by other agencies in this State or by other states or jurisdictions, hospitals, health care facilities, residency programs, employers, insurance providers, or any of the armed forces of the United States or any state;

(2) contrition for the offenses;

(3) cooperation with the Department or other investigative authorities;

(4) restitution to injured parties;

(5) whether the misconduct was self-reported; and

(6) any voluntary remedial actions taken.

(20 ILCS 2105/2105-135 new)

Sec. 2105-135. Qualification for licensure or registration; good moral character. Good moral character shall be a qualification for licensure or registration under every licensing Act administered by the Department. Good moral character shall be a continuing requirement of licensure or registration. The practice of professions licensed or registered by the Department is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety, and welfare and to be subject to regulation and control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that persons who are licensed or registered to engage in any of the professions licensed or registered by the Department merit and receive the confidence and trust of the public. The Department is authorized to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, fine, or take any other disciplinary action it deems warranted against any licensee or registrant whose conduct violates the continuing requirement of good moral character or significantly undermines the public's trust in a licensed or regulated profession. This Section shall be liberally construed to best carry out this purpose.".