Bill Status of SB 2779   103rd General Assembly

Short Description:  CNTY-BD-CERTIFIED PATHOLOGISTS

Senate Sponsors
Sen. Doris Turner-Christopher Belt, Cristina Castro, Mary Edly-Allen, Emil Jones, III and Laura M. Murphy

House Sponsors
(Rep. Jay Hoffman, Michael J. Coffey, Jr., Dave Severin, David Friess, Paul Jacobs, Jason Bunting and Patrick Windhorst)


Last Action  View All Actions

DateChamber Action
  8/9/2024SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0922

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
55 ILCS 5/3-3014from Ch. 34, par. 3-3014
55 ILCS 5/3-3016from Ch. 34, par. 3-3016
410 ILCS 505/1from Ch. 31, par. 41
410 ILCS 505/2from Ch. 31, par. 42
410 ILCS 505/3from Ch. 31, par. 43

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Counties Code and the Autopsy Act. Provides that autopsies must be performed by board-certified forensic pathologists or, if under the direct supervision of a board-certified forensic pathologist, pathology residents or forensic pathology fellows (rather than a licensed physician must perform autopsies). In the Autopsy Act, further provides that other qualified personnel or other qualified personnel selected by a board-certified forensic pathologist (rather than a physician) may perform (rather than assist) an autopsy. Further amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county in which the body of a deceased person is found shall indemnify and hold harmless a board-certified forensic pathologist who renders services under the provisions for all of the pathologist's conduct arising out of the pathologist's testimony as an expert witness in a criminal proceeding based on the service provided under the provisions, except actions involving willful and wanton misconduct of the pathologist. Conditions the duty of the county to indemnify a board-certified forensic pathologist who rendered services under the provisions for a judgment recovered against the pathologist upon receiving notice of the filing of the action. Provides that, if a board-certified forensic pathologist is made a party defendant to an action and the action against the pathologist is based upon the pathologist's conduct arising out of the pathologist's testimony as an expert witness in a criminal proceeding, then, within 10 days of service of process, the pathologist shall notify the county in which the body of a deceased person was found of the fact that the pathologist has been made a party defendant to the action. Includes requirements for the notice. Provides that the State's Attorney of the county in which the body of the deceased person is found may appear and defend on behalf of the board-certified forensic pathologist. Effective immediately.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
55 ILCS 5/3-3014from Ch. 34, par. 3-3014
Adds reference to:
55 ILCS 5/5-1003.5 new

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county shall indemnify and hold harmless a physician who has been appointed or designated by the county or the coroner's office to perform autopsies for all of the physician's acts, omissions, decisions, or conduct arising out of the scope of the physician's duties of performing autopsies for the county, except those involving willful or wanton misconduct. Requires the physician to provide specified notice to the State's Attorney and the county clerk within 10 days after service of process upon the physician. Provides that the county that is or may be liable to indemnify the physician may intervene in the action against the physician and shall be permitted to appear and defend. Provides that the duty of the county to indemnify any physician for any judgment recovered against the physician is conditioned upon receiving notice of the filing of any such action in the manner and form specified.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  1/17/2024SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Doris Turner
  1/17/2024SenateFirst Reading
  1/17/2024SenateReferred to Assignments
  2/8/2024SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
  2/28/2024SenateAssigned to Executive
  3/7/2024SenateTo Subcommittee on End of Life Issues
  3/7/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Doris Turner
  3/7/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
  3/12/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive
  3/14/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 To Subcommittee on End of Life Issues
  3/15/2024SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 5, 2024
  4/5/2024SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 3, 2024
  4/12/2024SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 3, 2024
  5/3/2024SenateRule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 17, 2024
  5/15/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Reported Back To Executive
  5/15/2024SenateReported Back To Executive; 002-000-000
  5/15/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  5/15/2024SenateDo Pass as Amended Executive; 012-000-000
  5/15/2024SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 16, 2024
  5/16/2024SenateSecond Reading
  5/16/2024SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 17, 2024
  5/17/2024SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
  5/17/2024HouseArrived in House
  5/17/2024HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
  5/17/2024HouseFirst Reading
  5/17/2024HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  5/20/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
  5/21/2024HouseAssigned to Counties & Townships Committee
  5/21/2024HouseCommittee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 24, 2024
  5/21/2024HouseMotion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Counties & Townships Committee; Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
  5/21/2024HouseMotion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 072-039-001
  5/22/2024HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Counties & Townships Committee; 008-000-000
  5/22/2024HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  5/22/2024HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  5/22/2024HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
  5/24/2024HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  5/24/2024HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000
  5/24/2024SenatePassed Both Houses
  5/24/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Severin
  5/24/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. David Friess
  5/24/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Paul Jacobs
  5/24/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason Bunting
  5/24/2024HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
  5/24/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro
  5/24/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
  5/25/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III
  6/3/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
  6/21/2024SenateSent to the Governor
  8/9/2024SenateGovernor Approved
  8/9/2024SenateEffective Date January 1, 2025
  8/9/2024SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0922

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