State Representative Amy Elik and State Senator Erica Harriss are applauding the signing of House Bill 4868, which passed the General Assembly in May.
House Bill 4868, sponsored by Elik in the House and Harriss in the Senate, requires nursing facilities to notify the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) within 24 hours when a reportable incident or accident results in serious physical harm or injury to a resident or requires immediate medical attention, including hospitalization. Facilities must also submit a narrative summary of the incident to IDPH within five business days.
“Protecting nursing home residents requires accountability and transparency,” said Harriss. “This new law gives IDPH the information it needs to respond when serious incidents occur and establishes clear expectations for nursing facilities. This is an important step toward making sure the health and safety of Illinois seniors remain a priority.”
Elik said the new requirements will give families more assurance that their loved ones will be taken care of.
“Families entrust nursing homes with the care of their loved ones, and they deserve to know that serious incidents will be reported quickly and appropriately,” said Elik. “I’m proud to have worked with Senator Harriss on this legislation and grateful to see it signed into law.”
LeadingAge Illinois is an association of providers serving Illinois older adults, and their group advocated for the passage of this legislation.
“LeadingAge Illinois greatly appreciates the passage of HB 4868, which provides important clarification regarding incident and accident reporting requirements for nursing homes,” said LeadingAge Illinois Executive Director Jason Speaks. “By clearly defining what information must be reported, this legislation will help providers better understand and comply with regulatory requirements while reducing confusion and unnecessary uncertainty. Clear reporting standards promote greater transparency and accountability, ultimately strengthening oversight and supporting the delivery of high-quality care to nursing home residents. We appreciate the work of Representative Elik and Senator Harriss, recognizing the importance of clear, consistent reporting requirements and their support for nursing homes working to provide safe, quality care to Illinois’ older adults.”
The new law also allows nursing facilities to notify IDPH by email, providing facilities with an additional method to comply with the 24-hour reporting requirement.
HB 4868 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously before being sent to the Governor. The legislation is now law.
