Healthcare (Public Health)

The Student Cardiac Safety Act requires qualified health care professionals to include a cardiovascular prescreening in physical examinations for student athletes in grades kindergarten through 12 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. This requirement will expand to all students during their annual well-child visits beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. The prescreening involves collecting personal and family medical history data along with a focused physical exam, and any positive findings must result in a referral to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Public Health publish annual reports on screening outcomes and distribute educational materials about heart disease risks to families and schools.

Declares June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to issue updated guidance to all Illinois-licensed pediatricians and school health professionals emphasizing the clinical necessity of scoliometer use and spinal checks during all mandated sixth and ninth-grade physicals.

Encourages healthcare providers, hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, and the Illinois Department of Public Health to promote the hepatitis B vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure and help increase public awareness about the importance of receiving a hepatitis B vaccination and expand access and awareness of hepatitis testing and treatment options. Encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health, healthcare providers, and patients/community representatives to develop or amend an effective and actionable state hepatitis B strategic plan, focused on areas such as immunization, screening, and linkage to care, which will align stakeholders on shared objectives and efforts to facilitate broad screening, vaccine, and treatment availability and access with comparable initiatives in other states (i.e., New York Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan) used as guiding models for plan development. Encourages the Illinois Department of Health to establish a hepatitis B working group to develop measurable goals on which to center the hepatitis B strategic plan with goals that may include but are not limited to strengthening immunization infrastructure, improving coverage policies, assessing vaccine administration fees, increasing community demand, improving vaccine confidence, and promoting health equity initiatives to improve vaccine, screening and treatment uptake.

Appropriates the amount of $900,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for a grant to the Link and Option Center, Inc., for the purpose of operating a mobile health clinic in south suburban Cook County. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Bereavement Care for All Act. Directs the Department of Public Health to develop a statewide Bereavement Care Strategic Plan and a centralized Bereavement Care Resource and Navigation Hub. Requires the State Board of Education to develop model guidance for school districts regarding grief-informed education. Directs State-funded professional licensing boards to evaluate integration of grief-informed training and education into continuing education requirements. Directs the Department of Public Health to develop screening tools in schools and healthcare settings to identify bereaved children and adults and connect them with appropriate resources. Requires the Department of Public Health to improve data collection regarding bereavement prevalence and disparities and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to adopt rules. Contains findings. Defines terms.

Amends the Rare Disease Commission Act. Changes the sunset date of the Act from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2032. In provisions regarding administrative support, adds that the administrative and other support to the Rare Disease Commission provided by the Department of Public Health includes printing services related to the distribution of the Commission's annual report. Effective immediately.

Urges regulators and enforcement agencies to increase inspections and ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers reduce the selling of unlawful, kid-friendly vapes. Urges for strengthened coordination between State agencies, law enforcement, school districts, and public health authorities to reduce youth access to illegal vape products and protect the health of all students.

Declares July 10, 2026 as Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to continue educating the public on the importance of vaccination, initiate meaningful dialogue around vaccination, and encourage the uptake of recommended vaccines. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to inform healthcare providers and Illinois residents that vaccinations are a highly effective and safe public health measure and to increase public awareness about the importance of all Illinois residents receiving immunizations as recommended. Urges IDPH to specify the differences between recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and those issued by professional medical societies and to promote vaccination outreach and education initiatives that emphasize the importance of communication between patients and healthcare providers. Urges IDPH to continue prioritizing immunization initiatives and policies and to invest in immunization infrastructure to ensure broad and open access to immunizations. Urges IDPH to strengthen the State's public health preparedness, encourage the promotion and sharing of evidence-based vaccine recommendations, improve cross-state collaboration, and respond effectively to federal vaccine policies that lack scientific basis. Urges the Governor to explore joining a multi-state public health collaborative.

Declares July 28, 2026 as Hepatitis B Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Urges promotion of hepatitis B vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure and supports removal of barriers to vaccination. Encourages development of an effective and actionable state hepatitis B strategic plan, as well as establishment of a hepatitis B working group to develop measurable goals.

Amends the Newborn Screening Act. Changes the title of the Act and the short title. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, an additional newborn screening fee of at least $45, determined by the Department by rule, may be collected and deposited into the Metabolic Screening and Treatment Fund for specified purposes. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to override, replace, preempt, or supersede any provision, requirement, or other duty or prohibition under the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act. Limits the application of certain provisions to hearing screenings and makes technical and conforming changes. Makes conforming changes in the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois Procurement Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Effective immediately.