SB0279 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 07052 RAS 37196 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB0279

Introduced 2/3/2005, by Sen. William R. Haine

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 80/4.16
5 ILCS 80/4.26 new
225 ILCS 25/4	from Ch. 111, par. 2304
225 ILCS 25/8.2 new
225 ILCS 25/11	from Ch. 111, par. 2311
225 ILCS 25/16	from Ch. 111, par. 2316
225 ILCS 25/16.1	from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1
225 ILCS 25/16.2 new
225 ILCS 25/19	from Ch. 111, par. 2319
225 ILCS 25/23	from Ch. 111, par. 2323
225 ILCS 25/50	from Ch. 111, par. 2350
225 ILCS 25/54.2 new

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal of the Illinois Dental Practice Act to January 1, 2016. Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Defines "titration" and "dental emergency responder". Prohibits the titration of orally administered sedative agents that exceeds the maximum recommended dose. Provides that a dentist shall not be required to maintain a general license in addition to a specialty license. Provides that restricted faculty licenses shall be valid for a period of 3 years, rather than 2 years. Provides that each license issued under the Act shall be valid for 3 years, rather than being set by rule of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Changes continuing education requirements for hours of study. Provides that a surviving spouse or certain other interested parties in an estate may employ, contract with, or otherwise make arrangements for a dentist or dentists to temporarily continue to operate a dental practice under the name of a deceased or incapacitated dentist under certain specified circumstances. Provides that dentists shall be entitled to reasonable reimbursement for the costs of reproducing patient dental records. Provides that a dentist or dental hygienist who is a dental emergency responder acts within the bounds of his or her license when he or she provides care during a declared local, State, or national emergency. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Section 4.16 and by adding Section 4.26 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.16)

Sec. 4.16. Acts repealed January 1, 2006. The following Acts are repealed January 1, 2006:

The Respiratory Care Practice Act.

The Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act.

The Illinois Dental Practice Act.

The Professional Geologist Licensing Act.

The Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act.

The Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985.

The Collection Agency Act.

The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act.

The Illinois Physical Therapy Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-33, eff. 1-1-96; 89-72, eff. 12-31-95; 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95; 89-366, eff. 7-1-96; 89-387, eff. 8-20-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)

(5 ILCS 80/4.26 new)

Sec. 4.26. Act repealed on January 1, 2016. The following Act is repealed on January 1, 2016:

The Illinois Dental Practice Act.

Section 10. The Illinois Dental Practice Act is amended by changing Sections 4, 11, 16, 16.1, 19, 23, 24, and 50 and by adding Sections 8.2, 16.2, and 54.2 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/4) (from Ch. 111, par. 2304)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this Act:

(a) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

(b) "Director" means the Director of Professional Regulation.

(c) "Board" means the Board of Dentistry established by Section 6 of this Act.

(d) "Dentist" means a person who has received a general license pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 11 of this Act or a specialty license under subsection (b) of Section 11 of this Act and who may perform any intraoral and extraoral procedure required in the practice of dentistry and to whom is reserved the responsibilities specified in Section 17.

(e) "Dental hygienist" means a person who holds a license under this Act to perform dental services as authorized by Section 18.

(f) "Dental assistant" means an appropriately trained person who, under the supervision of a dentist, provides dental services as authorized by Section 17.

(g) "Dental laboratory" means a person, firm or corporation which:

(i) engages in making, providing, repairing or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues; and

(ii) utilizes or employs a dental technician to provide such services; and

(iii) performs such functions only for a dentist or dentists.

(h) "Supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist or a dental assistant requiring that a dentist authorize the procedure, remain in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approve the work performed by the dental hygienist or dental assistant before dismissal of the patient, but does not mean that the dentist must be present at all times in the treatment room.

(i) "General supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist requiring that the patient be a patient of record, that the dentist examine the patient in accordance with Section 18 prior to treatment by the dental hygienist, and that the dentist authorize the procedures which are being carried out by a notation in the patient's record, but not requiring that a dentist be present when the authorized procedures are being performed. The issuance of a prescription to a dental laboratory by a dentist does not constitute general supervision.

(j) "Public member" means a person who is not a health professional. For purposes of board membership, any person with a significant financial interest in a health service or profession is not a public member.

(k) "Dentistry" means the healing art which is concerned with the examination, diagnosis, treatment planning and care of conditions within the human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures, as further specified in Section 17.

(l) "Branches of dentistry" means the various specialties of dentistry which, for purposes of this Act, shall be limited to the following: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial radiology.

(m) "Specialist" means a dentist who has received a specialty license pursuant to Section 11(b).

(n) "Dental technician" means a person who owns, operates or is employed by a dental laboratory and engages in making, providing, repairing or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues.

(o) "Impaired dentist" or "impaired dental hygienist" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental disability as evidenced by a written determination or written consent based on clinical evidence, including deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skills, abuse of drugs or alcohol, or a psychiatric disorder, of sufficient degree to diminish the person's ability to deliver competent patient care.

(p) "Nurse" means a registered professional nurse, a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed as an advanced practice nurse, or a licensed practical nurse licensed under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.

(q) "Patient of record" means a patient for whom the patient's most recent dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental history and on whom the dentist has performed an examination and evaluated the condition to be treated.

(r) "Titration" means the administration of a drug in small incremental doses until a desired clinical effect is observed.

(s) "Dental emergency responder" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is appropriately certified in emergency medical response, as defined by the Department of Public Health.

(Source: P.A. 92-280, eff. 1-1-02; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02; 93-821, eff. 7-28-04.)

(225 ILCS 25/8.2 new)

Sec. 8.2. Titration of oral sedative agents. Titration of an orally-administered sedative agent that exceeds the maximum recommended dose of that agent is a violation of this Act and may result in disciplinary action by the Department under Section 23 of this Act.

(225 ILCS 25/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 2311)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 11. Types of Dental Licenses. The Department shall have the authority to issue the following types of licenses:

(a) General licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a dentist to any person who qualifies for a license under this Act.

(b) Specialty licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a specialist in any particular branch of dentistry to any dentist who has complied with the requirements established for that particular branch of dentistry at the time of making application. The Department shall establish additional requirements of any dentist who announces or holds himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry.

The specialty license shall permit the holder of the license to perform all phases of general dental procedures. The Department shall require a person seeking licensure under this subsection to show proof that they have passed either a State or regional dental board exam required for a general license under this Act.

No dentist shall announce or hold himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry unless he or she is licensed to practice in that specialty of dentistry.

The fact that any dentist shall announce by card, letterhead or any other form of communication using terms as "Specialist," "Practice Limited To" or "Limited to Specialty of" with the name of the branch of dentistry practiced as a specialty, or shall use equivalent words or phrases to announce the same, shall be prima facie evidence that the dentist is holding himself or herself out to the public as a specialist.

(c) Temporary training licenses. Persons who wish to pursue specialty or other advanced clinical educational programs in an approved dental school or a hospital situated in this State, or persons who wish to pursue programs of specialty training in dental public health in public agencies in this State, may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a temporary training license. In order to receive a temporary training license under this subsection, an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age and is of good moral character. In determining moral character under this Section, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate as bar to licensure;

(2) The applicant has been accepted or appointed for specialty or residency training by an approved hospital situated in this State, by an approved dental school situated in this State, or by a public health agency in this State the training programs of which are recognized and approved by the Department. The applicant shall indicate the beginning and ending dates of the period for which he or she has been accepted or appointed;

(3) The applicant is a graduate of a dental school or college approved and in good standing in the judgment of the Department. The Department may consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded to determine if an applicant has graduated from a dental school or college approved and in good standing. The Department may also consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded in determining whether a dental school or college is approved and in good standing.

Temporary training licenses issued under this Section shall be valid only for the duration of the period of residency or specialty training and may be extended or renewed as prescribed by rule. The holder of a valid temporary training license shall be entitled thereby to perform acts as may be prescribed by and incidental to his or her program of residency or specialty training; but he or she shall not be entitled to engage in the practice of dentistry in this State.

A temporary training license may be revoked by the Department upon proof that the holder has engaged in the practice of dentistry in this State outside of his or her program of residency or specialty training, or if the holder shall fail to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his or her current status and activities in his or her specialty training program.

(d) Restricted faculty licenses. Persons who have received full-time appointments to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a restricted faculty license. In order to receive a restricted faculty license an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age, is of good moral character and is licensed to practice dentistry in another state or country; and

(2) The applicant has a full-time appointment to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State.

Restricted faculty licenses issued under this Section shall be valid for a period of 3 2 years and may be extended or renewed. The holder of a valid restricted faculty license may perform acts as may be required by his or her teaching of dentistry. In addition, the holder of a restricted faculty license may practice general dentistry or in his or her area of specialty, but only in a clinic or office affiliated with the dental school. Any restricted faculty license issued to a faculty member under this Section shall terminate immediately and automatically, without any further action by the Department, if the holder ceases to be a faculty member at an approved dental school or hospital in this State.

The Department may revoke a restricted faculty license for a violation of this Act or its rules, or if the holder fails to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his current status and activities in his teaching program.

(e) Inactive status. Any person who holds one of the licenses under subsection (a) or (b) of Section 11 or under Section 12 of this Act may elect, upon payment of the required fee, to place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to the rules of the Department, be excused from the payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active status.

Any licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and upon payment the Department shall be required to restore his or her license, as provided in Section 16 of this Act.

Any licensee whose license is in an inactive status shall not practice in the State of Illinois.

(f) Certificates of Identification. In addition to the licenses authorized by this Section, the Department shall deliver to each dentist a certificate of identification in a form specified by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 92-280, eff. 1-1-02.)

(225 ILCS 25/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 2316)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 16. Expiration, renewal and restoration of licenses. A The expiration date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be valid for a period of 3 years and may be renewed for additional 3-year periods be set by rule. A dentist or dental hygienist may renew a license during the month preceding its expiration date by paying the required fee. A dental hygienist shall provide proof of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at the time of renewal.

Any dentist or dental hygienist whose license has expired or whose license is on inactive status may have his license restored at any time within 5 years after the expiration thereof, upon payment of the required fee.

Any person whose license has been expired for more than 5 years or who has had his license on inactive status for more than 5 years may have his license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of his fitness to have license restored, including sworn evidence certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction, and by paying the required restoration fee. A person practicing on an expired license is deemed to be practicing without a license. However, a holder of a license may also renew the license within 90 days after its expiration by complying with the requirements for renewal and payment of an additional fee. A license renewal within 90 days after expiration shall be effective retroactively to the expiration date.

If a person whose license has expired or who has had his license on inactive status for more than 5 years has not maintained an active practice satisfactory to the department, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation process established by rule, his or her fitness to resume active status and may require the person to complete a period of evaluated clinical experience and may require successful completion of a practical examination.

However, any person whose license has expired while he has been engaged (1) in federal or state service active duty, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his license restored without paying any lapsed renewal or restoration fee, if within 2 years after termination of such service, training or education other than by dishonorable discharge, he furnishes the Department with satisfactory proof that he has been so engaged and that his service, training or education has been so terminated.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95.)

(225 ILCS 25/16.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 16.1. Continuing education. The Department shall promulgate rules of continuing education for persons licensed under this Act. In establishing rules, the Department shall require a minimum of 48 32 hours of study in approved courses for dentists during each 3-year 2 year licensing period and a minimum of 36 24 hours of study in approved courses for dental hygienists during each 3-year 2 year licensing period. These continuing education rules shall only apply to licenses renewed after November 1, 1992.

The Department shall approve only courses that are relevant to the treatment and care of patients, including, but not limited to, clinical courses in dentistry and dental hygiene and nonclinical courses such as patient management, legal and ethical responsibilities, and stress management. Courses shall not be approved in such subjects as estate and financial planning, investments, or personal health. Approved courses may include, but shall not be limited to, courses that are offered or sponsored by approved colleges, universities, and hospitals and by recognized national, State, and local dental and dental hygiene organizations.

No license shall be renewed unless the renewal application is accompanied by an affidavit indicating that the applicant has completed the required minimum number of hours of continuing education in approved courses as required by this Section. The affidavit shall not require a listing of courses. The affidavit shall be a prima facie evidence that the applicant has obtained the minimum number of required continuing education hours in approved courses. The Department shall not be obligated to conduct random audits or otherwise independently verify that an applicant has met the continuing education requirement. The Department, however, may not conduct random audits of more than 10% of the licensed dentists and dental hygienists in any one licensing cycle to verify compliance with continuing education requirements. If the Department, however, receives a complaint that a licensee has not completed the required continuing education or if the Department is investigating another alleged violation of this Act by a licensee, the Department may demand and shall be entitled to receive evidence from any licensee of completion of required continuing education courses for the most recently completed 3-year 2 year licensing period. Evidence of continuing education may include, but is not limited to, canceled checks, official verification forms of attendance, and continuing education recording forms, that demonstrate a reasonable record of attendance. The Illinois State Board of Dentistry shall determine, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department, whether a licensee or applicant has met the continuing education requirements. Any dentist who holds more than one license under this Act shall be required to complete only the minimum number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of a single license. The Department may provide exemptions from continuing education requirements. The exemptions shall include, but shall not be limited to, dentists and dental hygienists who agree not to practice within the State during the licensing period because they are retired from practice.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95; 90-544, eff. 1-1-98.)

(225 ILCS 25/16.2 new)

Sec. 16.2. Continued operation of dental practice upon death or incapacitation of dentist. A surviving spouse, personal representative of an estate, heir, legatee, guardian, trustee, or person operating under a durable power-of-attorney may employ, contract with, or otherwise make arrangements for a dentist or dentists licensed under this Act to continue to operate a dental practice under the name of a deceased or incapacitated dentist for a period of one year and, upon a showing of exceptional hardship or extenuating circumstance, may seek an additional extension from the Board.

(225 ILCS 25/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 2319)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 19. Licensing Applicants from other States. Any person who has been lawfully licensed to practice dentistry, including the practice of a licensed dental specialty, or dental hygiene in another state or territory which has and maintains a standard for the practice of dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene at least equal to that now maintained in this State, or if the requirements for licensure in such state or territory in which the applicant was licensed were, at the date of his licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State, and who has been lawfully engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately preceding the filing of his or her application to practice in this State and who shall deposit with the Department a duly attested certificate from the Board of the state or territory in which he or she is licensed, certifying to the fact of his or her licensing and of his or her being a person of good moral character may, upon payment of the required fee, be granted a license to practice dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene in this State, as the case may be.

For the purposes of this Section, in computing 3 of the immediately preceding 5 years of practice in another state or territory, any person who left the practice of dentistry to enter the military service and who practiced dentistry while in the military service may count as a part of such period the time spent by him in such service.

Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff. 7-7-95.)

(225 ILCS 25/23) (from Ch. 111, par. 2323)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 23. Refusal, revocation or suspension of dental licenses. The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $10,000 per violation, with regard to any license for any one or any combination of the following causes:

1. Fraud in procuring the license.

2. Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs.

3. Wilful or repeated violations of the rules of the Department of Public Health or Department of Nuclear Safety.

4. Acceptance of a fee for service as a witness, without the knowledge of the court, in addition to the fee allowed by the court.

5. Division of fees or agreeing to split or divide the fees received for dental services with any person for bringing or referring a patient, except in regard to referral services as provided for under Section 45, or assisting in the care or treatment of a patient, without the knowledge of the patient or his legal representative.

6. Employing, procuring, inducing, aiding or abetting a person not licensed or registered as a dentist to engage in the practice of dentistry. The person practiced upon is not an accomplice, employer, procurer, inducer, aider, or abetter within the meaning of this Act.

7. Making any misrepresentations or false promises, directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade or induce dental patronage.

8. Professional connection or association with or lending his name to another for the illegal practice of dentistry by another, or professional connection or association with any person, firm or corporation holding himself, herself, themselves, or itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.

9. Obtaining or seeking to obtain practice, money, or any other things of value by false or fraudulent representations, but not limited to, engaging in such fraudulent practice to defraud the medical assistance program of the Department of Public Aid.

10. Practicing under a name other than his or her own.

11. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

12. Conviction in this or another State of any crime which is a felony under the laws of this State or conviction of a felony in a federal court, conviction of a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or conviction of any crime which is directly related to the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.

13. Permitting a dental hygienist, dental assistant or other person under his or her supervision to perform any operation not authorized by this Act.

14. Permitting more than 4 dental hygienists to be employed under his supervision at any one time.

15. A violation of any provision of this Act or any rules promulgated under this Act.

16. Taking impressions for or using the services of any person, firm or corporation violating this Act.

17. Violating any provision of Section 45 relating to advertising.

18. Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth within this Act.

19. Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

20. Gross or repeated malpractice resulting in injury or death of a patient.

21. The use or prescription for use of narcotics or controlled substances or designated products as listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, in any way other than for therapeutic purposes.

22. Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his practice as a dentist, including, but not limited to, false records to support claims against the dental assistance program of the Illinois Department of Public Aid.

23. Professional incompetence as manifested by poor standards of care.

24. Physical or mental illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skills which results in a dentist's inability to practice dentistry with reasonable judgment, skill or safety. In enforcing this paragraph, the Department may compel a person licensed to practice under this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 23b.

25. Repeated irregularities in billing a third party for services rendered to a patient. For purposes of this paragraph 25, "irregularities in billing" shall include:

(a) Reporting excessive charges for the purpose of obtaining a total payment in excess of that usually received by the dentist for the services rendered.

(b) Reporting charges for services not rendered.

(c) Incorrectly reporting services rendered for the purpose of obtaining payment not earned.

26. Continuing the active practice of dentistry while knowingly having any infectious, communicable, or contagious disease proscribed by rule or regulation of the Department.

27. Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

28. Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

29. Abandonment of a patient.

30. Mental incompetency as declared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

31. Violating Section 8.2 of this Act relating to titration of oral sedative agents.

All proceedings to suspend, revoke, place on probationary status, or take any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, with regard to a license on any of the foregoing grounds, must be commenced within 3 years after receipt by the Department of a complaint alleging the commission of or notice of the conviction order for any of the acts described herein. Except for fraud in procuring a license, no action shall be commenced more than 5 years after the date of the incident or act alleged to have violated this Section. The time during which the holder of the license was outside the State of Illinois shall not be included within any period of time limiting the commencement of disciplinary action by the Department.

The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 91-689, eff. 1-1-01.)

(225 ILCS 25/50) (from Ch. 111, par. 2350)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2006)

Sec. 50. Patient Records. Every dentist shall make a record of all dental work performed for each patient. The record shall be made in a manner and in sufficient detail that it may be used for identification purposes.

Dental records required by this Section shall be maintained for 10 years. Dental records required to be maintained under this Section, or copies of those dental records, shall be made available upon request to the patient or the patient's guardian. A dentist shall be entitled to reasonable reimbursement for the cost of reproducing these records, which shall not exceed the cost allowed by the Code of Civil Procedure , provided that the reasonable cost of reproducing the records has been paid by the patient or the patient's guardian.

(Source: P.A. 87-576.)

(225 ILCS 25/54.2 new)

Sec. 54.2. Dental emergency responders. A dentist or dental hygienist who is a dental emergency responder is deemed to be acting within the bounds of his or her license when providing care during a declared local, State, or national emergency.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.