SB0685 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 08385 AJO 28558 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0685

Introduced 2/8/2007, by Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

745 ILCS 49/30

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. In a Section requiring a free medical clinic to post an explanation of its exemption from civil liability for that exemption to apply, as an alternative to this posting, provides that the clinic may provide an explanation of the exemption in writing to each person who is enrolled as a patient or member of that free medical clinic or, in the case of a minor patient or member, to the parent or guardian of that minor. Provides that a free medical clinic may receive reimbursement from other local governmental or community organizations (at present, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services). Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning civil law.

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

Section 5. The Good Samaritan Act is amended by changing Section 30 as follows:

(745 ILCS 49/30)

Sec. 30. Free medical clinic; exemption from civil liability for services performed without compensation.

(a) A person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, a person licensed to practice the treatment of human ailments in any other state or territory of the United States, or a health care professional, including but not limited to an advanced practice nurse, retired physician, physician assistant, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, podiatrist, or social worker licensed in this State or any other state or territory of the United States, who, in good faith, provides medical treatment, diagnosis, or advice as a part of the services of an established free medical clinic providing care, including but not limited to home visits, without charge to patients which is limited to care that does not require the services of a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center and who receives no fee or compensation from that source shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing that medical treatment, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(b) For purposes of this Section, a "free medical clinic" is an organized community based program providing medical care without charge to individuals, at which the care provided does not include an overnight stay in a health-care facility.

(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Section do not apply to a particular case unless the free medical clinic has posted in a conspicuous place on its premises an explanation of the exemption from civil liability provided herein, or communicated an explanation of the exemption from civil liability provided herein in writing to each person who is enrolled as a patient or member of that free medical clinic or, in the case of a minor patient or member, to the parent or guardian of that minor.

(d) The immunity from civil damages provided under subsection (a) also applies to physicians, retired physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that provide further medical treatment, diagnosis, or advice, including but not limited to hospitalization, office visits, and home visits, to a patient upon referral from an established free medical clinic without fee or compensation.

(d-5) A free medical clinic may receive reimbursement from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services or contributions from local governmental units or community organizations Public Aid, provided any reimbursements shall be used only to pay overhead expenses of operating the free medical clinic and may not be used, in whole or in part, to provide a fee or other compensation to any person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or any other health care professional who is receiving an exemption under this Section. Any health care professional receiving an exemption under this Section may not receive any fee or other compensation in connection with any services provided to, or any ownership interest in, the clinic. Medical care shall not include an overnight stay in a health care facility.

(e) Nothing in this Section prohibits a free medical clinic from accepting voluntary contributions for medical services provided to a patient who has acknowledged his or her ability and willingness to pay a portion of the value of the medical services provided.

(f) Any voluntary contribution collected for providing care at a free medical clinic shall be used only to pay overhead expenses of operating the clinic. No portion of any moneys collected shall be used to provide a fee or other compensation to any person licensed under Medical Practice Act of 1987.

(g) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly apply to causes of action accruing on or after its effective date.

(Source: P.A. 94-677, eff. 8-25-05.)

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