HB5412 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 19365 RPM 54518 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB5412

Introduced , by Rep. Robyn Gabel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2310/2310-685 new

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the scope of practice for community health workers is a set of core competencies that include skills and areas of knowledge that are essential to bringing about expanded health in diverse communities and to reduce health disparities. Sets forth core competencies for effective community health workers as members of health teams. Provides that within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Director of Public Health shall establish and appoint the Illinois Community Health Worker Advisory Board. Provides that the Board shall propose to the Department leadership the training and certification processes for community health workers and that the Board shall also advise the Department, the Governor, and the General Assembly on all matters that impact the effective work of community health workers. Sets forth provisions concerning Board membership. Provides that the Board shall develop a plan for the certification process of community health workers.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2310-685 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2310/2310-685 new)

Sec. 2310-685. Integrated team-based health care; community health workers; creation of board.

(a) In this Section:

"Community health worker" or "CHW" means a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison, link, and intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities, including outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.

"Community health worker practice" includes education, training, and experience on the core competencies in order to effectively provide services to the communities and populations served through a variety of distinct roles that are indicative of community health worker best practices.

(b) The scope of practice for community health workers is a set of core competencies that include skills and areas of knowledge that are essential to bringing about expanded health in diverse communities and to reduce health disparities. As members of health teams, core competencies for effective community health workers include, but are not limited to:

(1) outreach methods and strategies;

(2) client and community assessment;

(3) effective community-based and participatory methods;

(4) culturally-based communication and care;

(5) health education for behavior change;

(6) support, advocacy, and health system navigation for clients;

(7) application of public health concepts and approaches;

(8) individual and community capacity building and mobilization; and

(9) writing and technical communication skills.

(c) Nothing in this Section shall permit a certified community health worker to engage in or perform any act or service for which a license issued by a professional licensing board is required.

(d) Within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the Director shall establish and appoint the Illinois Community Health Worker Advisory Board (Board). The Board shall propose to the Department leadership the training and certification processes for community health workers. The Board shall also advise the Department, the Governor, and the General Assembly on all matters that impact the effective work of community health workers.

(e) The Board shall be comprised of 11 members. At least 6 members of the Board shall be community health workers, one of whom shall have served as a health exchange navigator. One member shall be a representative of the community colleges, universities, and educational institutions that may provide CHW training. The remaining 4 positions shall be filled with representation from the following categories, with no fewer than 3 categories being represented:

(1) health care and public health professionals, who are not community health workers, with community health and supervision experience, such as nurses and physicians; and

(2) training or curriculum specialists; and

(3) social service or social science professionals, such as social workers, counselors, anthropologists, and community psychologists; and

(4) agency administrators and CHW employer representatives or program administrators, excluding upper management; and

(5) health policy advisors, with experience in health care workforce policy.

(f) The Board shall also include ex-officio members from the following State agencies:

(1) the Illinois Community College Board;

(2) the Department on Aging;

(3) the Department of Children and Family Services;

(4) the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity;

(5) the Department of Employment Security;

(6) the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(7) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services;

(8) the Department of Human Services; and

(9) the Department of Public Health.

The Director shall select a chair from the 11 members of the Board. The Board shall consult with additional experts as needed.

(g) The Board shall develop a plan for the certification process of community health workers that shall include:

(1) developing and reviewing curriculum and training programs as models for designing an Illinois certification process, including the consideration of a multi-tiered educational or training system, which may include certification, non-certification, and degree-based levels, and the requirements for experience-based certification;

(2) developing certification and renewal processes and a system of approval and accreditation for curriculum and training;

(3) ensuring that the content, methodology, development, and delivery of programs is appropriate and reflective of relevant CHW scope of practice; and

(4) investigating reimbursement options and pathways through which secure funding for community health workers may be obtained.