HB 4278

Abstract

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires that, if an Illinois Veterans Home administrator or a member of the administrative staff is notified that, within one month or less, 2 or more persons residing within the Veterans Home are diagnosed with an infectious disease by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches; a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or organized under the University of Illinois Hospital Act; a long-term care facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act; a freestanding emergency center licensed under the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act; a local health department; or any other State agency or government entity, then, within 24 hours after the facility is notified of the second diagnosis, the Illinois Veterans Home must: (1) provide a written notification of the incidence of the infectious disease to each resident of the facility and the resident's emergency contact or next of kin; (2) post a notification of the incidence of the infectious disease in a conspicuous place near the main entrance to the Illinois Veterans Home; and (3) provide a written notification to the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Public Health of the incidence of the infectious disease and of compliance with the notification requirements concerning residents and the resident's emergency contact or next of kin. Requires that, in addition to the initial written notifications, the Veterans Home must provide written notifications of any updates on the incidence of the infectious disease and any options that are available to the residents. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Public Health must post the notification of the incidence of the infectious disease, any updates, and any options that are available to the residents on their websites. Effective immediately.