Senator Fine legislation to expand birth center accessibility signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – Pregnant women will have more options on where to deliver under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that establishes a path to permanent licensure for freestanding birth centers.

“Expecting mothers should have the ability to choose their birth style without limitations caused by a lack of freestanding birth center licenses in their area,” Senator Fine said. “Whether a pregnant woman is seeking a certified nurse midwife or they simply want a lower-cost birthing style, lifting the licensure cap for freestanding birth centers will help increase access to birth centers across Illinois.”

Senator Fine’s legislation creates the Birth Center Licensing Act, lifting the current cap on the number of freestanding birth center licenses, so more women, especially those in marginalized communities, have access to the birthing style they prefer. Freestanding birth centers will still be regulated under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act, and licenses will have to be renewed every year.

Freestanding birth centers are a lower-cost option for expectant mothers seeking a more homelike approach to childbirth who do not want a hospital setting. There are currently just two freestanding birth centers in Illinois that provide this style of care.

"All families should have the right to pick a birth plan that best fits their situation," said State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), who sponsored the bill in the House. "Making freestanding birth centers widely available as a low-cost alternative to hospitals will give expectant mothers the opportunity to choose an affordable option for where to have their child. I'm proud this legislation will help get new lives off to a fair start."

House Bill 3995 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Senator Fine measure to share mental health information with families becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – Family members will be able to provide greater support for loved ones receiving treatment in mental health facilities under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which was signed into law Friday. Doctors will be able to provide information to patients’ family members to help them continue care upon release.

“Information is power when it comes to helping loved ones take care of their mental health,” Senator Fine said. “Family members who are involved in every step of the treatment process should receive information from mental health facilities in order to help their relative continue on a path forward with their mental health care.”

Senator Fine’s Access to Basic Mental Health Information Act will give certain family members access to information about their loved one’s care, including whether the individual is located at the mental health facility, their current physical and mental condition, diagnosis, treatment needs, services provided, services and medication needed, discharge planning or continuity of care, and a physician’s report if clinically appropriate.

The parent, adult sibling, adult child, spouse or adult grandchild of the individual in care will be able to request information from the mental health facility if they meet certain criteria.

"This bill ensures that families are not left in the dark when a loved one is in crisis while, at the same time, strengthens protections against abuse, manipulation or limits on patient autonomy,” said State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who sponsored the bill in the House. “It’s a critical step to ensuring that families can be there to help when it's needed most."

Public Act 102-0372 was signed into law Friday and will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Senator Fine measure allowing patients to access medical records at no cost signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families will no longer have to pay for copies of medical records required to file claims for disability benefits under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Illinoisans seeking benefits should not have to pay a dime for paperwork required to file claims,” Senator Fine said. “There’s no reason to stick a price tag on copies of medical records for families who likely already paid high out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment.”

Current law allows homeless indigent veterans to receive medical records from health care facilities and practitioners at no cost to support claims for veterans’ disability benefits. Senator Fine’s law will expand eligibility to allow anyone to receive free medical records to support a claim for veterans’ disability, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled benefits.

“Our state’s benefits programs should work for everyone, not just those who can afford to file a claim,” Senator Fine said. “This law will ease the financial burden in the disability benefits application process and help families in every corner of Illinois.”

House Bill 714 was signed into law Friday and will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Reimbursement for telehealth services expanded to cover epilepsy under Senator Fine law

SPRINGFIELD – Epilepsy specialists will be able to provide telehealth treatment services with the assurance of reimbursement from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Patients seeking telehealth treatment for epilepsy and their providers will no longer have to worry about payment parity for services from home,” Senator Fine said. “Epilepsy specialists delivering the same treatment via telehealth as they would in person should be reimbursed accordingly.”

More than 65 million people around the world are living with epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, and many have chosen to seek telehealth treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Fine’s law will ensure epilepsy specialists in Illinois receive the reimbursement they deserve for providing treatment via telehealth to individuals with epilepsy or related disorders.

“The world we are living in could not be more different than the pre-pandemic world, and it’s time to normalize and expand telehealth services,” Senator Fine said. “Illinoisans will now be able to seek timely and proximate treatment for epilepsy from the comfort of their homes without lingering concerns regarding coverage.”

House Bill 3025 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.