Senate Sponsors:
MADIGAN,L.
Short description:
EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT
Synopsis of Bill as introduced:
Creates the Illinois Emergency Health Powers Act. Allows the
Governor, by executive order, to declare a public health emergency if
there is an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health
condition, caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or
novel and highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins, that
poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities
or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. Gives the Governor
broad emergency powers, including financial powers. Designates the
Department of Public Health as the public health authority and the
Department of State Police as the public safety authority; allows the
Departments to specifically authorize others to act. Provides for
termination of a declaration of a public health emergency by the
Governor or the General Assembly (by a two-thirds vote) and provides
for automatic termination after 30 days unless renewed. Provides for
detecting, reporting, and tracking public health emergencies, for
activation of disaster response and recovery agencies, and for
dissemination of information. Authorizes special powers for the
control of persons (including medical exams and tests, isolation and
quarantine, and access to patient records) and for the control and
possession of property (including quick-take powers of eminent
domain). Authorizes special powers for licensing and appointing health
personnel. Provides for certain penalties. Provides for the Governor
to appoint a Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. Provides for
immunity from liability. Provides that the Act controls over
conflicting laws and rules. Preempts home rule powers. Exempts from
the reimbursement requirements of the State Mandates Act. Amends the
Code of Civil Procedure to authorize quick-take powers of eminent
domain. Effective immediately.
Last action on Bill: REFERRED TO SENATE RULES COMMITTEE RULES
Last action date: NOV-13-01
Location: Senate
Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0
END OF INQUIRY