99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3623

 

Introduced , by Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 2310/2310-376.5 new

    Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to: (1) establish a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of hepatitis C; (2) conduct a study examining both the current and future statuses of the disease in the State; (3) communicate to health care providers and employers the benefits of disease awareness and prevention; and (4) develop a prevention program to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis C. Provides that voluntary hepatitis C testing shall be established at facilities that provide voluntary HIV testing. Requires the Department to establish a voluntary hepatitis C counseling training course that includes information relating to the special needs of persons with positive hepatitis C test results, including the importance of early intervention and treatment and recognition of psychosocial needs. Effective immediately.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning health.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Public Health Powers and
5Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
6amended by adding Section 2310-376.5 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 2310/2310-376.5 new)
8    Sec. 2310-376.5. Hepatitis C testing programs; training of
9counselors.
10    (a) The Department shall:
11        (1) establish a program to heighten awareness and
12    enhance knowledge and understanding of hepatitis C,
13    including activities to promote public awareness of risk
14    factors, the value of early detection, available screening
15    services, and available treatment options for hepatitis C;
16        (2) conduct a study examining both the current and
17    future statuses of the disease in the State;
18        (3) communicate to health care providers and employers
19    the benefits of disease awareness and prevention; and
20        (4) develop a prevention program to reduce the risk of
21    transmission of hepatitis C.
22    (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of
23this Section, the Department shall also establish voluntary

 

 

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1hepatitis C testing programs that provide confidential
2counseling and testing at facilities that provide voluntary HIV
3testing. The Department may contract with public and private
4entities to perform the testing.
5    (c) Any test results obtained under subsection (b) of this
6Section shall not be used for insurance purposes, to screen or
7determine suitability for employment, or to terminate a
8person's employment.
9    (d) A person who violates subsection (c) of this Section is
10liable to the person injured by the violation, who may bring a
11civil action for damages and recover from the violator the
12greater of $1000 or actual damages, and reasonable attorney's
13fees for each violation. A person may, in addition, bring an
14action to restrain a violation or threatened violation of
15subsection (c).
16    (e) The Department shall also develop and offer a hepatitis
17C counseling training course that includes information
18relating to the special needs of persons with positive
19hepatitis C test results, including the importance of early
20intervention and treatment and recognition of psychosocial
21needs. The Department may impose a fee for the course to
22persons other than employees of entities receiving State or
23federal funds for hepatitis C counseling and testing program
24through a contract with the Department. The Department shall
25maintain a registry of persons who successfully complete the
26training course.

 

 

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1    (f) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to
2implement the requirements of this Section.
 
3    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
4becoming law.