Bill > SB0119

This bill amends the Prenatal Syphilis Act to update requirements for syphilis testing during pregnancy in Illinois. The legislation broadens the scope of who can perform the testing from specifically physicians to "appropriate health care professionals," and mandates testing for every pregnant person at two key points: during the first medical examination and during the third trimester (specifically between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation). The bill removes references to "blood samples" and "serological tests," using more general language about specimen collection and testing. Healthcare professionals are now required to report on birth and still birth certificates whether a syphilis test was performed, including the date of specimen collection and the testing laboratory, while continuing to maintain patient privacy by not disclosing the actual test results. An existing religious exemption allows pregnant individuals to decline testing if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. The changes aim to modernize and potentially expand prenatal syphilis screening practices to improve early detection and treatment of the sexually transmitted infection.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=119&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104