093_HR0370

                                     LRB093 12035 HSS 16800 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, Because of the aftermath of  the  September  11,
 3    2001  tragedy,  there  has been an increased awareness of the
 4    vulnerability of any nation  or  State  to  a  public  health
 5    emergency; and

 6        WHEREAS,  A  public  health emergency is an occurrence or
 7    imminent threat of an illness or  health  condition  that  is
 8    believed  to be caused by any of the following: bioterrorism;
 9    the  appearance  of  a  novel  or  previously  controlled  or
10    eradicated infectious agent or biological  toxin;  a  natural
11    disaster;  a chemical attack or accidental release; a nuclear
12    attack or accident; or an act of war; and

13        WHEREAS, Persons, including  medical  professionals,  may
14    have  no  legal duty to respond to a public health emergency;
15    and

16        WHEREAS, Local volunteer groups of medical  professionals
17    can  be valuable resources that may supplement existing local
18    emergency response units by developing community-based  plans
19    for dealing with crises, providing organizational skills, and
20    treating  the  least seriously injured or sickened persons in
21    the case of a public health emergency; and

22        WHEREAS, Many professionals will still render care at the
23    scene of a public health emergency gratuitously and  in  good
24    faith; therefore, be it

25        RESOLVED,   BY   THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
26    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
27    we  urge  the  General  Assembly  to  explore  supporting and
28    protecting  good  samaritan  responders  to   public   health
29    emergencies.