SB 677

Abstract

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules that require a person seeking licensure to practice medicine in all of its branches to have completed 3 hours of education on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Specifies that the education requirement shall only apply to applicants who serve or will serve adult populations and have or will have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department shall adopt rules that require any continuing education for persons licensed to practice medicine under all of its branches to include an average of one hour of continuing education per license year on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Specifies that the continuing education requirement shall only apply to persons who serve adult populations and have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that the curriculum used for the education and continuing education requirements shall cover the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including recognizing the signs and symptoms of dementia; person-centered care; assessment and care planning; and culturally competent health care. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 60/11 225 ILCS 60/20.1 new Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2105/2105-365 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that for license or registration renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2023, a health care professional who has continuing education requirements must complete at least a one-hour course in training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias per renewal period. Provides that the training shall include, but not be limited to, assessment and diagnosis, effective communication strategies, and management and care planning. Provides that the requirement shall only apply to health care professionals who provide health care services to adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession. Provides that a health care professional may count that one hour for completion of the course toward meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education. Provides that any training on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias applied to meet any other State licensure requirement, professional accreditation or certification requirement, or health care institutional practice agreement may count toward the continuing education requirement. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules for the implementation of the continuing education requirement. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Provides that the continuing education requirements shall only apply to health care professionals who provide health care services to, and have direct patient interactions with (rather than who provide health care services to), adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession.