Public Act 0409 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0875 Enrolled LRB094 06602 RAS 36694 b

Public Act 094-0409

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Section 4.16 and by adding Section 4.26 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.16)

Sec. 4.16. Acts repealed January 1, 2006. The following Acts are repealed January 1, 2006:

The Respiratory Care Practice Act.

The Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act.

The Illinois Dental Practice Act.

The Professional Geologist Licensing Act.

The Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act.

The Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985.

The Collection Agency Act.

The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act.

The Illinois Physical Therapy Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-33, eff. 1-1-96; 89-72, eff. 12-31-95; 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95; 89-366, eff. 7-1-96; 89-387, eff. 8-20-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)

(5 ILCS 80/4.26 new)

Sec. 4.26. Act repealed on January 1, 2016. The following Act is repealed on January 1, 2016:

The Illinois Dental Practice Act.

Section 10. The Illinois Dental Practice Act is amended by changing Sections 4, 7, 9, 11, 16, 16.1, 19, 24, 25, and 50 and by adding Sections 25.1 and 54.2 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/4) (from Ch. 111, par. 2304)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this Act:

(a) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

(b) "Director" means the Director of Professional Regulation.

(c) "Board" means the Board of Dentistry established by Section 6 of this Act.

(d) "Dentist" means a person who has received a general license pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 11 of this Act and who may perform any intraoral and extraoral procedure required in the practice of dentistry and to whom is reserved the responsibilities specified in Section 17.

(e) "Dental hygienist" means a person who holds a license under this Act to perform dental services as authorized by Section 18.

(f) "Dental assistant" means an appropriately trained person who, under the supervision of a dentist, provides dental services as authorized by Section 17.

(g) "Dental laboratory" means a person, firm or corporation which:

(i) engages in making, providing, repairing or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues; and

(ii) utilizes or employs a dental technician to provide such services; and

(iii) performs such functions only for a dentist or dentists.

(h) "Supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist or a dental assistant requiring that a dentist authorize the procedure, remain in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approve the work performed by the dental hygienist or dental assistant before dismissal of the patient, but does not mean that the dentist must be present at all times in the treatment room.

(i) "General supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist requiring that the patient be a patient of record, that the dentist examine the patient in accordance with Section 18 prior to treatment by the dental hygienist, and that the dentist authorize the procedures which are being carried out by a notation in the patient's record, but not requiring that a dentist be present when the authorized procedures are being performed. The issuance of a prescription to a dental laboratory by a dentist does not constitute general supervision.

(j) "Public member" means a person who is not a health professional. For purposes of board membership, any person with a significant financial interest in a health service or profession is not a public member.

(k) "Dentistry" means the healing art which is concerned with the examination, diagnosis, treatment planning and care of conditions within the human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures, as further specified in Section 17.

(l) "Branches of dentistry" means the various specialties of dentistry which, for purposes of this Act, shall be limited to the following: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial radiology.

(m) "Specialist" means a dentist who has received a specialty license pursuant to Section 11(b).

(n) "Dental technician" means a person who owns, operates or is employed by a dental laboratory and engages in making, providing, repairing or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues.

(o) "Impaired dentist" or "impaired dental hygienist" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental disability as evidenced by a written determination or written consent based on clinical evidence, including deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skills, abuse of drugs or alcohol, or a psychiatric disorder, of sufficient degree to diminish the person's ability to deliver competent patient care.

(p) "Nurse" means a registered professional nurse, a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed as an advanced practice nurse, or a licensed practical nurse licensed under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.

(q) "Patient of record" means a patient for whom the patient's most recent dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental history and on whom the dentist has performed an examination and evaluated the condition to be treated.

(r) "Dental emergency responder" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is appropriately certified in emergency medical response, as defined by the Department of Public Health.

(Source: P.A. 92-280, eff. 1-1-02; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02; 93-821, eff. 7-28-04.)

(225 ILCS 25/7) (from Ch. 111, par. 2307)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 7. Recommendations by Board of Dentistry. The Director shall consider the recommendations of the Board in establishing guidelines for professional conduct, for the conduct of formal disciplinary proceedings brought under this Act, and for establishing guidelines for qualifications of applicants. Notice of proposed rulemaking shall be transmitted to the Board and the Department shall review the response of the Board and any recommendations made therein. Upon the vote of at least 7/10 of the members of the Board, the Department shall adopt the recommendations of the Board in any rulemaking under this Act. The Department may, at any time, seek the expert advice and knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the administration or enforcement of this Act. The action or report in writing of a majority of the Board shall be sufficient authority upon which the Director may act.

Whenever the Director is satisfied that substantial justice has not been done either in an examination or in the revocation, suspension or refusal to issue a license, the Director may order a reexamination or rehearing.

(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

(225 ILCS 25/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 2309)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 9. Qualifications of Applicants for Dental Licenses. The Department shall require that each applicant for a license to practice dentistry shall:

(a) (Blank).

(b) Be at least 21 years of age and of good moral character.

(c) (1) Present satisfactory evidence of completion of dental education by graduation from a dental college or school in the United States or Canada approved by the Department. The Department shall not approve any dental college or school which does not require at least (A) 60 semester hours of collegiate credit or the equivalent in acceptable subjects from a college or university before admission, and (B) completion of at least 4 academic years of instruction or the equivalent in an approved dental college or school before graduation; or

(2) Present satisfactory evidence of completion of dental education by graduation from a dental college or school outside the United States or Canada and provide satisfactory evidence that:

(A) (blank) the completion of a dental education outside the United States or Canada authorized the applicant to practice dentistry in the country in which he or she completed the dental education;

(B) the applicant has completed a minimum of 2 academic years of general dental clinical training at a dental college or school in the United States or Canada approved by the Department, however, an accredited advanced dental education program approved by the Department of no less than 2 years may be substituted for the 2 academic years of general dental clinical training and except that an applicant who was enrolled for not less than one year in an approved clinical program prior to January 1, 1993 at an Illinois dental college or school shall be required to complete only that program; and

(C) the applicant has received certification from the dean of an approved dental college or school in the United States or Canada or the program director of an approved advanced dental education program stating that the applicant has achieved the same level of scientific knowledge and clinical competence as required of all graduates of the college, or school, or advanced dental education program.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent either the Department or any dental college or school from establishing higher standards than specified in this Act.

(d) In determining professional capacity under this Section, any individual who has not been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry, has not been a dental student, or has not been engaged in a formal program of dental education during the 5 years immediately preceding the filing of an application may be required to complete such additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Board may deem necessary in order to establish the applicant's present capacity to practice dentistry with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety.

(e) Pass an examination authorized or given by the Department in the theory and practice of the science of dentistry; provided, that the Department (1) may recognize a certificate granted by the National Board of Dental Examiners in lieu of, or subject to, such examination as may be required and (2) may recognize successful completion of the preclinical and clinical examination examinations conducted by approved regional testing services in lieu of such examinations as may be required. For purposes of this Section, successful completion shall mean that the applicant has achieved a minimum passing score on the regional examinations as determined by each approved regional testing service.

(Source: P.A. 88-45; 88-635, eff. 1-1-95; 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95; 89-387, eff. 8-20-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)

(225 ILCS 25/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 2311)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 11. Types of Dental Licenses. The Department shall have the authority to issue the following types of licenses:

(a) General licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a dentist to any person who qualifies for a license under this Act.

(b) Specialty licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a specialist in any particular branch of dentistry to any dentist who has complied with the requirements established for that particular branch of dentistry at the time of making application. The Department shall establish additional requirements of any dentist who announces or holds himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry.

No dentist shall announce or hold himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry unless he or she is licensed to practice in that specialty of dentistry.

The fact that any dentist shall announce by card, letterhead or any other form of communication using terms as "Specialist," "Practice Limited To" or "Limited to Specialty of" with the name of the branch of dentistry practiced as a specialty, or shall use equivalent words or phrases to announce the same, shall be prima facie evidence that the dentist is holding himself or herself out to the public as a specialist.

(c) Temporary training licenses. Persons who wish to pursue specialty or other advanced clinical educational programs in an approved dental school or a hospital situated in this State, or persons who wish to pursue programs of specialty training in dental public health in public agencies in this State, may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a temporary training license. In order to receive a temporary training license under this subsection, an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age and is of good moral character. In determining moral character under this Section, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate as bar to licensure;

(2) The applicant has been accepted or appointed for specialty or residency training by an approved hospital situated in this State, by an approved dental school situated in this State, or by a public health agency in this State the training programs of which are recognized and approved by the Department. The applicant shall indicate the beginning and ending dates of the period for which he or she has been accepted or appointed;

(3) The applicant is a graduate of a dental school or college approved and in good standing in the judgment of the Department. The Department may consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded to determine if an applicant has graduated from a dental school or college approved and in good standing. The Department may also consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded in determining whether a dental school or college is approved and in good standing.

Temporary training licenses issued under this Section shall be valid only for the duration of the period of residency or specialty training and may be extended or renewed as prescribed by rule. The holder of a valid temporary training license shall be entitled thereby to perform acts as may be prescribed by and incidental to his or her program of residency or specialty training; but he or she shall not be entitled to engage in the practice of dentistry in this State.

A temporary training license may be revoked by the Department upon proof that the holder has engaged in the practice of dentistry in this State outside of his or her program of residency or specialty training, or if the holder shall fail to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his or her current status and activities in his or her specialty training program.

(d) Restricted faculty licenses. Persons who have received full-time appointments to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a restricted faculty license. In order to receive a restricted faculty license an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age, is of good moral character and is licensed to practice dentistry in another state or country; and

(2) The applicant has a full-time appointment to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State.

Restricted faculty licenses issued under this Section shall be valid for a period of 3 2 years and may be extended or renewed. The holder of a valid restricted faculty license may perform acts as may be required by his or her teaching of dentistry. In addition, the holder of a restricted faculty license may practice general dentistry or in his or her area of specialty, but only in a clinic or office affiliated with the dental school. Any restricted faculty license issued to a faculty member under this Section shall terminate immediately and automatically, without any further action by the Department, if the holder ceases to be a faculty member at an approved dental school or hospital in this State.

The Department may revoke a restricted faculty license for a violation of this Act or its rules, or if the holder fails to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his current status and activities in his teaching program.

(e) Inactive status. Any person who holds one of the licenses under subsection (a) or (b) of Section 11 or under Section 12 of this Act may elect, upon payment of the required fee, to place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to the rules of the Department, be excused from the payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active status.

Any licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and upon payment the Department shall be required to restore his or her license, as provided in Section 16 of this Act.

Any licensee whose license is in an inactive status shall not practice in the State of Illinois.

(f) Certificates of Identification. In addition to the licenses authorized by this Section, the Department shall deliver to each dentist a certificate of identification in a form specified by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 92-280, eff. 1-1-02.)

(225 ILCS 25/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 2316)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 16. Expiration, renewal and restoration of licenses.

The expiration date and renewal date period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by rule. The renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be 3 years. A dentist or dental hygienist may renew a license during the month preceding its expiration date by paying the required fee. A dental hygienist shall provide proof of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at the time of renewal.

Any dentist or dental hygienist whose license has expired or whose license is on inactive status may have his license restored at any time within 5 years after the expiration thereof, upon payment of the required fee and a showing of proof of compliance with current continuing education requirements, as provided by rule.

Any person whose license has been expired for more than 5 years or who has had his license on inactive status for more than 5 years may have his license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of taking continuing education and of his fitness to have the license restored, including sworn evidence certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction, and by paying the required restoration fee. A person practicing on an expired license is deemed to be practicing without a license. However, a holder of a license may renew the license within 90 days after its expiration by complying with the requirements for renewal and payment of an additional fee. A license renewal within 90 days after expiration shall be effective retroactively to the expiration date.

If a person whose license has expired or who has had his license on inactive status for more than 5 years has not maintained an active practice satisfactory to the department, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation process established by rule, his or her fitness to resume active status and may require the person to complete a period of evaluated clinical experience and may require successful completion of a practical examination.

However, any person whose license has expired while he has been engaged (1) in federal or state service active duty, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his license restored without paying any lapsed renewal or restoration fee, if within 2 years after termination of such service, training or education other than by dishonorable discharge, he furnishes the Department with satisfactory proof that he has been so engaged and that his service, training or education has been so terminated.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95.)

(225 ILCS 25/16.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 16.1. Continuing education. The Department shall promulgate rules of continuing education for persons licensed under this Act. In establishing rules, the Department shall require a minimum of 48 32 hours of study in approved courses for dentists during each 3-year 2 year licensing period and a minimum of 36 24 hours of study in approved courses for dental hygienists during each 3-year 2 year licensing period. These continuing education rules shall only apply to licenses renewed after November 1, 1992.

The Department shall approve only courses that are relevant to the treatment and care of patients, including, but not limited to, clinical courses in dentistry and dental hygiene and nonclinical courses such as patient management, legal and ethical responsibilities, and stress management. Courses shall not be approved in such subjects as estate and financial planning, investments, or personal health. Approved courses may include, but shall not be limited to, courses that are offered or sponsored by approved colleges, universities, and hospitals and by recognized national, State, and local dental and dental hygiene organizations.

No license shall be renewed unless the renewal application is accompanied by an affidavit indicating that the applicant has completed the required minimum number of hours of continuing education in approved courses as required by this Section. The affidavit shall not require a listing of courses. The affidavit shall be a prima facie evidence that the applicant has obtained the minimum number of required continuing education hours in approved courses. The Department shall not be obligated to conduct random audits or otherwise independently verify that an applicant has met the continuing education requirement. The Department, however, may not conduct random audits of more than 10% of the licensed dentists and dental hygienists in any one licensing cycle to verify compliance with continuing education requirements. If the Department, however, receives a complaint that a licensee has not completed the required continuing education or if the Department is investigating another alleged violation of this Act by a licensee, the Department may demand and shall be entitled to receive evidence from any licensee of completion of required continuing education courses for the most recently completed 3-year 2 year licensing period. Evidence of continuing education may include, but is not limited to, canceled checks, official verification forms of attendance, and continuing education recording forms, that demonstrate a reasonable record of attendance. The Illinois State Board of Dentistry shall determine, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department, whether a licensee or applicant has met the continuing education requirements. Any dentist who holds more than one license under this Act shall be required to complete only the minimum number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of a single license. The Department may provide exemptions from continuing education requirements. The exemptions shall include, but shall not be limited to, dentists and dental hygienists who agree not to practice within the State during the licensing period because they are retired from practice.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95; 90-544, eff. 1-1-98.)

(225 ILCS 25/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 2319)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 19. Licensing Applicants from other States. Any person who has been lawfully licensed to practice dentistry, including the practice of a licensed dental specialty, or dental hygiene in another state or territory which has and maintains a standard for the practice of dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene at least equal to that now maintained in this State, or if the requirements for licensure in such state or territory in which the applicant was licensed were, at the date of his licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State, and who has been lawfully engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately preceding the filing of his or her application to practice in this State and who shall deposit with the Department a duly attested certificate from the Board of the state or territory in which he or she is licensed, certifying to the fact of his or her licensing and of his or her being a person of good moral character may, upon payment of the required fee, be granted a license to practice dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene in this State, as the case may be.

For the purposes of this Section, in computing 3 of the immediately preceding 5 years of practice in another state or territory, any person who left the practice of dentistry to enter the military service and who practiced dentistry while in the military service may count as a part of such period the time spent by him in such service.

Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95.)

(225 ILCS 25/24) (from Ch. 111, par. 2324)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 24. Refusal, Suspension or Revocation of Dental Hygienist License. The Department may refuse to issue or renew or , may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $2,500 per violation, with regard to any dental hygienist license for any one or any combination of the following causes:

1. Fraud in procuring license.

2. Performing any operation not authorized by this Act.

3. Practicing dental hygiene other than under the supervision of a licensed dentist as provided by this Act.

4. The wilful violation of, or the wilful procuring of, or knowingly assisting in the violation of, any Act which is now or which hereafter may be in force in this State relating to the use of habit-forming drugs.

5. The obtaining of, or an attempt to obtain a license, or practice in the profession, or money, or any other thing of value by fraudulent representation.

6. Gross negligence in performing the operative procedure of dental hygiene.

7. Active practice of dental hygiene while knowingly having any infectious, communicable, or contagious disease proscribed by rule or regulation of the Department.

8. Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of habit-forming drugs.

9. Conviction in this or another state of any crime which is a felony under the laws of this State or conviction of a felony in a federal court, if the Department determines, after investigation, that such person has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

10. Aiding or abetting the unlicensed practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.

11. Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or a foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

12. Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

13. Violating the prohibitions of Section 38.1 of this Act.

14. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

The provisions of this Act relating to proceedings for the suspension and revocation of a license to practice dentistry shall apply to proceedings for the suspension or revocation of a license as a dental hygienist.

(Source: P.A. 91-520, eff. 1-1-00.)

(225 ILCS 25/25) (from Ch. 111, par. 2325)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 25. Notice of hearing; investigations and informal conferences.

(a) Upon the motion of either the Department or the Board or upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which if proven would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of license under this Act, the Board shall investigate the actions of any person, hereinafter called the respondent, who holds or represents that he holds a license. All such motions or complaints shall be brought to the Board.

(b) Prior to taking an in-person statement from a dentist or dental hygienist who is the subject of a complaint, the investigator shall inform the dentist or the dental hygienist in writing:

(1) that the dentist or dental hygienist is the subject of a complaint; and

(2) that the dentist or dental hygienist need not immediately proceed with the interview and may seek appropriate consultation prior to consenting to the interview; and .

(3) that failure of the dentist or dental hygienist to proceed with the interview shall not prohibit the Department from conducting a visual inspection of the facility.

A Department investigator's failure to comply with this subsection may not be the sole ground for dismissal of any order of the Department filed upon a finding of a violation or for dismissal of a pending investigation.

(c) If the Department concludes on the basis of a complaint or its initial investigation that there is a possible violation of the Act, the Department may:

(1) schedule a hearing pursuant to this Act; or

(2) request in writing that the dentist or dental hygienist being investigated attend an informal conference with representatives of the Department.

The request for an informal conference shall contain the nature of the alleged actions or inactions that constitute the possible violations.

A dentist or dental hygienist shall be allowed to have legal counsel at the informal conference. If the informal conference results in a consent order between the accused dentist or dental hygienist and the Department, the consent order must be approved by the Board and the Director. However, if the consent order would result in a fine exceeding $5,000 or the suspension or revocation of the dentist or dental hygienist license, the consent order must be approved by the Board and the Director. Participation in the informal conference by a dentist, a dental hygienist, or the Department and any admissions or stipulations made by a dentist, a dental hygienist, or the Department at the informal conference, including any agreements in a consent order that is subsequently disapproved by either the Board or the Director, shall not be used against the dentist, dental hygienist, or Department at any subsequent hearing and shall not become a part of the record of the hearing.

(d) The Director shall, before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Director may deem proper with regard to any license, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify the respondent in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges before the Board, direct him or her to file his or her written answer thereto to the Board under oath within 20 days after the service on him or her of such notice and inform him or her that if he or she fails to file such answer default will be taken against him or her and his or her license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary action may be taken with regard thereto, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of his or her practice, as the Director may deem proper.

(e) Such written notice and any notice in such proceedings thereafter may be served by delivery personally to the respondent, or by registered or certified mail to the address last theretofore specified by the respondent in his or her last notification to the Director.

(Source: P.A. 91-689, eff. 1-1-01.)

(225 ILCS 25/25.1 new)

Sec. 25.1. Subpoena powers.

(a) The Department, upon a determination by the chairperson of the Board that reasonable cause exists that a violation of one or more of the grounds for discipline set forth in Section 23 or Section 24 of this Act has occurred or is occurring, may subpoena the dental records of individual patients of dentists and dental hygienists licensed under this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, the Board and the Department may subpoena copies of hospital, medical, or dental records in mandatory report cases alleging death or permanent bodily injury when consent to obtain the records has not been provided by a patient or a patient's legal representative. All records and other information received pursuant to a subpoena shall be confidential and shall be afforded the same status as information concerning medical studies under Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure. The use of these records shall be restricted to members of the Board, the dental coordinator, and appropriate Department staff designated by the Secretary for the purpose of determining the existence of one or more grounds for discipline of the dentist or dental hygienist as provided for in Section 23 or Section 24 of this Act.

(c) Any review of an individual patient's records shall be conducted by the Department in strict confidentiality, provided that the patient records shall be admissible in a disciplinary hearing before the Secretary, the Board, or a hearing officer designated by the Department when necessary to substantiate the grounds for discipline alleged against the dentist or dental hygienist licensed under this Act.

(d) The Department may provide reimbursement for fees and mileage associated with its subpoena power in the same manner prescribed by law for judicial procedure in a civil case.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure, now or hereafter amended, to the extent applicable.

(225 ILCS 25/50) (from Ch. 111, par. 2350)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 50. Patient Records. Every dentist shall make a record of all dental work performed for each patient. The record shall be made in a manner and in sufficient detail that it may be used for identification purposes.

Dental records required by this Section shall be maintained for 10 years. Dental records required to be maintained under this Section, or copies of those dental records, shall be made available upon request to the patient or the patient's guardian. A dentist shall be entitled to reasonable reimbursement for the cost of reproducing these records, which shall not exceed the cost allowed under Section 8-2003 of the Code of Civil Procedure , provided that the reasonable cost of reproducing the records has been paid by the patient or the patient's guardian.

(Source: P.A. 87-576.)

(225 ILCS 25/54.2 new)

Sec. 54.2. Dental emergency responders. A dentist or dental hygienist who is a dental emergency responder is deemed to be acting within the bounds of his or her license when providing care during a declared local, State, or national emergency.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect December 31, 2005.

Effective Date: 12/31/2005