Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB 2548

Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that each hospital shall implement a staffing plan that (i) provides adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services, (ii) protects patient safety, and (iii) is consistent with the requirements of the Act. Sets forth the minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios required in a unit of a hospital during each shift in that unit. Sets forth development and reevaluation requirements for the staffing plan. Prohibits a hospital from discharging, discriminating, or retaliating in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment against a nurse based on the nurse’s refusal of a work assignment under certain conditions or against a nurse or any individual, who, in good faith, reports a violation of the Act, initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding under the Act, or informs or discusses with other individuals or with representatives of hospital employees a violation or suspected violation of the Act. Sets forth penalties for violation of the Act.

Date	Chamber	Action
3/3/2006	House	Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Date	Chamber	Action
2/18/2005	House	Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers
2/18/2005	House	First Reading
2/18/2005	House	Referred to Rules Committee
2/23/2005	House	Assigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee
3/3/2005	House	Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Shane Cultra
3/3/2005	House	Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Shane Cultra
3/10/2005	House	Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
1/5/2006	House	Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) March 3, 2006
1/5/2006	House	Assigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee
1/25/2006	House	Fiscal Note Filed
2/7/2006	House	Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough
2/7/2006	House	Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Larry McKeon
2/7/2006	House	Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Availability and Access Committee; 008-001-002
2/7/2006	House	Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
2/8/2006	House	State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. William B. Black
2/14/2006	House	State Mandates Fiscal Note Filed
2/21/2006	House	Second Reading - Short Debate
2/21/2006	House	Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
2/21/2006	House	Recalled to Second Reading - Short Debate
2/21/2006	House	Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
3/3/2006	House	Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

	Fiscal Note (Illinois Department of Public Health)
	House Bill 2548 will result in additional complaint investigations for the Illinois Department of Public Health. The estimated fiscal impact to the Illinois Department of Public Health for full year implementation of House Bill 2548 is approximately $266,600 for the cost of additional staff and associated expenses.

	State Mandates Fiscal Note (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)
	In the opinion of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, HB 2548 creates a service mandate for which reimbursement of 50%-100% of the increased costs to units of local government that administer hospitals is required under the State Mandates Act. An estimate of the increased costs to local government is not available.