Bill Text: IL SB1779 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Engrossed

---

Bill Title: Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Changes the name of the Medication Aide Pilot Program to the Medication Aide Program. Makes conforming changes. Provides that to be approved as a qualified facility under the program (instead of for the duration of the pilot program), a facility must meet specified requirements. Removes provisions that provide that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall submit a report regarding patient safety, efficiency, and errors, as determined by rule, to the General Assembly no later than 6 months after termination of the pilot program. Removes language providing that licenses under the Medication Aide Program Article may not be renewed or restored. Makes corresponding changes.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-3)

Status: (Engrossed) 2023-04-28 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [SB1779 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1779-Engrossed.html

---

SB1779 Engrossed LRB103 28441 AMQ 54821 b
AN ACT concerning regulation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Nurse Practice Act is amended by changing
the heading of Article 80 and Sections 80-10 and 80-45 as
follows:
(225 ILCS 65/Art. 80 heading)
ARTICLE 80. MEDICATION AIDE PILOT PROGRAM
(Article scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
(Source: P.A. 98-990, eff. 8-18-14.)
(225 ILCS 65/80-10)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 80-10. Program Pilot program.
(a) The Department shall administer and enforce a Licensed
Medication Aide Pilot Program. The program shall last for a
period of 3 years, as determined by rule. During the 3-year
pilot program, the Department shall license and regulate
licensed medication aides. As part of the pilot program, no
more than 10 skilled nursing homes, which shall be
geographically located throughout the State, shall be
authorized to employ licensed medication aides, as approved by
the Department. The Department may consult with the Department

SB1779 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 28441 AMQ 54821 b
of Public Health as necessary to properly administer and
enforce this Article.
(b) To be approved as a qualified facility under the for
the duration of the pilot program, a facility must:
(1) be licensed in good standing as a skilled nursing
facility by the Department of Public Health;
(2) have an overall Five Star Quality Rating of 3, 4,
or 5 from the most recent data available on the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services' website;
(3) certify that the employment of a licensed
medication aide will not replace or diminish the
employment of a registered nurse or licensed practical
nurse at the facility;
(4) certify that a registered nurse will be on-duty
and present in the facility to delegate and supervise the
medication administration by a licensed medication aide at
all times;
(5) certify that, with the exception of licensed
health care professionals, only licensed medication aides
will be employed in the capacity of administering
medication; and
(6) provide information regarding patient safety,
efficiency, and errors as determined by the Department;
failure to submit any required report may be grounds for
discipline or sanctions under this Act, the Nursing Home
Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act, or the

SB1779 Engrossed - 3 - LRB103 28441 AMQ 54821 b
Nursing Home Care Act.
The Department shall submit a report regarding patient
safety, efficiency, and errors, as determined by rule, to the
General Assembly no later than 6 months after termination of
the pilot program.
(Source: P.A. 98-990, eff. 8-18-14.)
(225 ILCS 65/80-45)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 80-45. Expiration of license. The expiration date for
each license to practice as a licensed medication aide shall
be set by the rule. Licenses under this Article may not be
renewed or restored.
(Source: P.A. 98-990, eff. 8-18-14.)