HB5465 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 25510 AMQ 34799 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5465

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Theresa Mah

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Task Force on Internationally-Licensed Health Care Professionals Act. Provides the Task Force is created within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Task Force shall have the following members: 2 members appointed by the President of the Senate; 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 2 members appointed by the Governor; the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation; the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation; and 2 members appointed from the nonprofit organization Upwardly Global. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least once a month until the Task Force votes to dissolve itself. Provides that the Department shall provide administrative support. Provides that the subject matter of the Task Force is intended to address health care professionals but also other professionals as needed, to be focused on professionals already licensed and practicing in another country and seeking licensure in the State, and to not include students. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare an annual report to address barriers to licensure and practice for health care professionals in the State and address strategies for reducing the barriers. Provides the report shall be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly, and the first report shall be submitted one year after the effective date of the Act.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Task Force on Internationally-Licensed Health Care Professionals Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The Task Force on Internationally-Licensed Health Care Professionals is created within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Task Force shall aim to:

(1) remove barriers to licensure and practice for health care professionals licensed and practicing in other countries to get licensed and practice in the State;

(2) address the health care workforce shortage in the State by increasing the supply of culturally competent physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals; and

(3) protect the safety of patients and the broader public.

Section 10. Membership; appointment; vacancy; meeting; support.

(a) The Task Force shall have the following members:

(1) two members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(3) two members appointed by the Governor, or Governor's designee;

(4) the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, or the Secretary's designee;

(5) the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation, or the Director's designee; and

(6) two members appointed from the nonprofit organization Upwardly Global.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c) The Task Force shall meet at least once a month, indefinitely, until the Task Force votes to dissolve itself.

(d) The Department shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

Section 15. Subject matter of the Task Force. The subject matter of the Task Force is intended to:

(1) address health care professionals, broadly defined to include physicians and nurses, but also include other professionals as the need arises;

(2) be focused on professionals who are already licensed and practicing in another country and are seeking licensure in the State; and

(3) not include students.

Section 20. Report.

(a) The Task Force shall prepare an annual report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study.

(b) The report shall address barriers to licensure and practice for health care professionals in the State in professions to be determined by the Task Force. The Task Force shall address strategies for reducing barriers to licensure and practice for internationally-licensed health care professionals.

(c) The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

(d) The Task Force shall submit the first report one year after the effective date of this Act.