HB3662 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB3662

Introduced 2/24/2009, by Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

410 ILCS 51/20 new

Amends the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall prepare and distribute to all health care providers in the State, a pamphlet that contains information about vaccines that contain mercury and the possible adverse effects associated with such vaccinations and an explanation of the provisions of the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. Provides that the Department shall provide the pamphlet to hospitals, medical clinics, public health services, and physicians who are likely to provide prenatal or perinatal care for distribution free of charge to pregnant women receiving prenatal or perinatal care. Provides that the Department shall also distribute the pamphlets to any person, organization, or other interested parties upon request. Provides that the Department outreach efforts shall include referral components intended to link immunizing children with available public or private primary care providers. Provides that, in addition to the English language version, the pamphlets shall be translated into a Spanish language version. Makes other changes.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Mercury-Free Vaccine Act is amended by adding Section 20 as follows:

(410 ILCS 51/20 new)

Sec. 20. Public pamphlet. The Department of Public Health shall prepare and distribute to all health care providers in the State, a pamphlet that contains information about vaccines that contain mercury and the possible adverse effects associated with such vaccinations and an explanation of the provisions of this Act. In order to ensure informed consent to the vaccinations of their newborn children, the Department shall provide the pamphlet to hospitals, medical clinics, public health services, and physicians who are likely to provide prenatal or perinatal care for distribution free of charge to pregnant women receiving prenatal or perinatal care. The Department shall encourage all health and maternal care providers providing healthcare services to a pregnant woman, when those healthcare services are directly related to her pregnancy, to provide the pregnant woman with the pamphlet. Those hospitals, medical clinics, public health centers, and physicians may otherwise make the pamphlets available to the public. The Department shall also distribute the pamphlets to any person, organization, or other interested parties upon request. The pamphlets may be duplicated by any person, provided that the copies are identical to the pamphlet prepared by the Department. Outreach programs shall provide information to the families of children being immunized about possible reactions to the vaccines and about follow-up referral sources. Department outreach efforts shall, to the extent feasible, include referral components intended to link immunizing children with available public or private primary care providers in order to increase access to pediatric care, including subsequent immunization services. In addition to the English language version, the pamphlets shall be translated into a Spanish language version and the Department shall conduct a public information campaign to distribute the pamphlets to the Hispanic women of this State.