Bill > HB1332

This bill amends the Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable Act by introducing new provisions for emergency contacts in hospitals. The bill requires hospitals to provide patients or their legal representatives the opportunity to designate an emergency contact during inpatient admission and authorize the hospital to share the patient's protected health information (PHI) with that contact. If authorized, the hospital must notify the designated emergency contact in the event of the patient's death or if their condition becomes life-threatening. The bill defines an "emergency contact" as an individual like a relative, spouse, partner, friend, or neighbor who can be contacted by the hospital. The legislation also clarifies that patients can change their emergency contact at any time, and hospitals must document these designations in the patient's medical record. Importantly, the bill limits hospital liability for attempting to contact emergency contacts and specifies that no individual is obligated to provide after-care simply by being designated. The bill aims to improve communication and support for patients during hospital stays by ensuring they can identify a point of contact who can be informed about critical medical situations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1332&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104