093_HB2609
LRB093 07870 MKM 08060 b
1 AN ACT concerning hospitals.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Emergency Medical Services Systems Act is
5 amended by adding Section 3.21 as follows:
6 (210 ILCS 50/3.21 new)
7 Sec. 3.21. Hospital first responders. The General
8 Assembly finds that in the event of terrorist acts,
9 especially those involving the release of biological agents,
10 bacteria, viruses, or other agents intended to cause illness
11 or injury, hospitals serve as first responders in diagnosing
12 and treating the victims of those acts. As first responders,
13 hospitals are on the front lines of the State's emergency
14 management efforts. Given the increased demands for
15 equipment, materials, and training associated with their
16 responsibility as first responders in the event of terrorist
17 acts, hospitals would benefit from additional resources to
18 enable them to be better prepared to protect and aid the
19 residents of the State. In awarding funds to support disaster
20 preparedness by first responders, the Department and any
21 other State agencies shall take into account the role of
22 hospitals in being prepared to respond to emergencies or
23 disasters.
24 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
25 becoming law.