IllinoisHB3711104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

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Became Law

Summary

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Defines "reportable misconduct" as specified sexual and violent misconduct. Requires health professionals and health institutions to report reportable misconduct to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Sets forth provisions concerning time lines for reporting, contents of the report, and confidentiality. Permits the Department to adopt rules to implement, administer, and enforce the reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, rules that define terms and are necessary and appropriate to interpret and implement provisions concerning health professionals and health institutions. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall make a report to the Department within 30 days after opening an investigation into, making an arrest of, or bringing charges of a felony or Class A misdemeanor violation against a person who is licensed or registered by the Department. Provides that the State's Attorney shall report to the Department within 5 days after the conviction for a felony or Class A misdemeanor of a person who is licensed or registered by the Department. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Adds reporting requirements for specified serious incidents or events. Creates the Sexual Assault Survivors Fund. Makes changes in provisions concerning the posting of information; reports to the Department; penalties for failure to comply with the Act; and patient protection from abuse. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Illinois Adverse Health Care Events Reporting Law of 2005. Makes changes in provisions concerning the establishment of a reporting system. Amends various Acts pertaining to health professionals and health institutions. Adds the failure to report reportable misconduct to the causes that allow the Department to take disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the Department with regard to a license. Makes conforming and other changes.

health care licensesassignmentslicensed activities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

24 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 13 costs, 6 mixed.

Automatic suspension after involuntary admission

If a court says you are subject to involuntary or judicial mental‑health admission, your professional license is automatically suspended. You can return to practice only after the court lifts that status and the Board or Secretary allows resumption. This applies across several professions, including dentists, marriage and family therapists, music therapists, and other health professionals. Act‑specific sunset dates apply (for example, dental rules through January 1, 2031).

Failing to report misconduct risks discipline

Licensed health professionals who do not report required misconduct can face discipline. The Department can deny, suspend, revoke, put a license on probation, or fine the licensee under the governing Act.

Higher fines and longer discipline windows

The Department can fine certain licensees up to $10,000 for each violation, including physicians, naprapaths, and perfusionists. Fines can add up across multiple violations and must be paid within 60 days unless an order sets other terms. For physicians, discipline generally must start within 5 years after a complaint and usually not more than 10 years after the incident, with exceptions; the state gets 2 extra years after certain settlements, and time outside Illinois does not count. Fines collected under the Nurse Practice Act go to the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund.

Higher fines for many health licenses

The Department can refuse, suspend, or revoke licenses and fine many health professionals up to $10,000 per violation. Physical therapists face fines up to $5,000 per violation. Professions covered include physicians, nursing home administrators, occupational and respiratory therapists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, music therapists, and others. Grounds include fraud, negligence, substance impairment, failing to respond to the Department, and failure to report required conduct.

Pharmacy fines and permanent revocation

Pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and pharmacy permit holders can be fined up to $10,000 per violation. A second conviction for a qualifying felony under the Controlled Substances Act, or a second specified Class 1 felony, requires license revocation and bars practice in Illinois. Collected pharmacy fines go to the Illinois State Pharmacy Disciplinary Fund.

Tougher rules for massage therapists

Convictions for prostitution, rape, sexual misconduct, or any crime requiring sex‑offender registration trigger mandatory license revocation and a permanent bar from practice. If you are charged with listed serious offenses, the Department issues a chaperone order within 5 business days. You must submit a compliance plan within 5 business days, tell patients, and get signed acknowledgments. The order is removed if you are not convicted. These rules are in effect through January 1, 2027.

Higher penalties and limits for dentists

The Department can fine dentists up to $10,000 per violation. A dentist may not supervise more than four dental hygienists at the same time. Fee‑splitting for patient referrals is banned, except for authorized referral services and bona fide employment or contractor pay allowed by law. The dental fine authority is in effect through January 1, 2031.

Stronger discipline and protections for psychologists

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Department can discipline psychologists and fine up to $10,000 per violation. A court finding of involuntary or judicial admission automatically suspends the license until the court discharges the person and the Board recommends restoration. The Department can order exams and treatment and can suspend for refusing exams. It must refuse or suspend a license for unpaid Illinois taxes until paid. The Department cannot discipline based only on care that was legal in Illinois, or only because another state disciplined you for that care. These psychologist‑specific rules are in effect through January 1, 2027.

Stronger discipline and protections for social workers

The Department can discipline social workers and fine up to $10,000 per violation. A court finding of involuntary or judicial admission automatically suspends the license until the court discharges the person and the Board recommends restoration. The Department can order mental or physical exams, including substance or sexual‑offender evaluations, and can suspend for refusing exams. It may refuse or suspend a license for unpaid Illinois taxes or child‑support delinquency until resolved. The Department cannot act based only on care that was legal in Illinois, only on out‑of‑state discipline for such care, or only on an immigration violation.

Shields for lawful care and immigration

The Department cannot discipline or deny a license just for taking part in health care that is lawful in Illinois. Illinois also cannot act only because another state disciplined you for care that would be legal here, as long as the care met Illinois standards. Applicants with such out‑of‑state discipline are not denied for that alone unless the conduct would be professional misconduct in Illinois. This protection includes recommendations for investigational drugs or devices and long‑term treatment for Lyme and other tick‑borne diseases. The Department also cannot act based only on an immigration violation.

Safer pharmacy staffing and patient rules

Pharmacies must provide enough staff and allow real rest and meal breaks. Employers cannot set quotas or programs that block pharmacists or technicians from using their professional judgment. Pharmacies must allow time for counseling, vaccine work, and safety checks. Pharmacies also cannot offer incentives just to make you transfer a prescription without a professional reason.

Stronger reporting protections and responses

Reports to the licensing agency stay confidential under state rules. Hospitals and staff who report or help in good faith are protected from lawsuits, and retaliation is banned. Hospitals cannot use policies that discourage reporting. Reporters get yearly notices about how to report online. The agency must give report status and copies of complaints or orders within 21 days of a proper request. Some accidental or clinically justified intimate acts, or items excluded by rule or written notice, do not have to be reported.

Discipline for not reporting abuse

Willfully failing to report suspected child or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a specific ground for discipline. The Department can suspend or revoke your license for willful non‑reporting. If you are fined or assessed costs, you must pay within 60 days unless the order sets different terms. The Department may adopt rules to run and enforce these disciplinary systems.

License holds for taxes or child support

If you fail to file or pay Illinois taxes or a final assessment, the Department can refuse, not renew, or suspend your professional license until the Department of Revenue says you are current. This applies across many licensed health professions, including physicians, massage therapists, marriage and family therapists, music therapists, and others. For music therapists, if the state certifies you are more than 30 days late on child support, your license can be refused, revoked, or suspended. Some sections end on set dates: the tax‑noncompliance rules for marriage and family therapists and massage therapists end January 1, 2027, and for music therapists end January 1, 2028.

Licenses tied to taxes and support

If you fail to file Illinois tax returns or pay taxes, penalties, or interest, the Department refuses or suspends your license until you comply. For counselors, suspension can be without a hearing. If the state certifies you are more than 30 days behind on child support, the Department can refuse, suspend, or revoke your license based on that certification.

Stronger exams and suspensions for licensees

The Department or boards can order mental or physical exams, including substance use or sexual‑offender evaluations, for applicants and licensees. The Department pays for exams it orders; in some cases the Board can require you to pay. Refusing an ordered exam leads to automatic or immediate suspension without a hearing until you comply. If an evaluation finds you cannot practice safely, you must get care or counseling from approved providers; not complying can trigger immediate suspension, with a hearing within 15 days. A court order for involuntary or judicial admission automatically suspends certain licenses until the court issues a discharge (speech‑language pathologists and audiologists also need a Board recommendation). Fines are not imposed in actions based on illness or impairment.

Licenses can be suspended for unpaid taxes

If you fail to file or pay required Illinois taxes, the Department can refuse to issue or renew your license or suspend it without a hearing. This applies to many licenses, including speech‑language pathologists, audiologists, and other registered professionals. The license or registration stays suspended until you meet the tax filing or payment requirements.

Ordered exams and treatment to practice

The Department can order licensed practitioners to complete mental, physical, or substance‑use exams, and in some cases sexual‑offender evaluations. The Department pays for ordered exams. If you refuse, your license can be suspended until you comply. The Department may also require treatment as a condition to keep or regain your license.

Rules for professional LLCs and appeals

The Department can suspend or revoke a professional LLC’s registration for unpaid taxes, unethical conduct not promptly fixed, failing to remove an officer with a revoked license, breaking rules, or willful failure to report. Before suspension or revocation, you must get written notice and a public hearing at least 10 days after notice. If you ask a court to review an order, you must pay the Department’s costs to certify the record before it has to file or appear.

New APRN reporting and protections

Hospitals and other health groups must report APRN privilege limits or endings tied to patient safety. Required APRN reports must be filed in writing within 30 days and include basic facts and contacts. Good‑faith reporters and Board helpers are immune from lawsuits and criminal charges. Breaking the APRN reporting rule is a Class A misdemeanor. Insurers must report malpractice settlements and cannot punish APRNs just because care was illegal in another state if it was legal in Illinois.

New misconduct reporting and hospital duties

Health professionals must report sexual or intimate misconduct to the state within 24 hours if they see it, have reasonable cause, or get a patient report. If it happens at a hospital, they can report to the hospital administrator within 24 hours; if no confirmation of an investigation in 48 hours, they must report to the state within the next 24 hours. Reports must be written with key details, and the state provides an online way to file. Reporters who act in good faith are immune from lawsuits, and professionals must report a peer’s willful failure to report. County State’s Attorneys must notify the licensing agency within 5 days of arrests or charges, and within 5 days of felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions. Starting December 31, 2027, hospitals must send their internal “no reasonable cause” logs twice a year and provide logs on request. Hospitals must train all staff to detect and report patient abuse and retrain at least every two years.

Time limits on podiatry discipline

For podiatrists, the Department must start most disciplinary cases within 5 years after it gets a complaint or notice of conviction. In most cases, it cannot start action more than 10 years after the incident. If the Department is told about a settlement or final judgment, it has 2 more years from that notice to begin proceedings.

Right to a chaperone for exams

You can ask to have a third person in the room during a breast or genital exam. The provider must tell you about this right and honor your request. This does not apply in emergencies, surgery, or care that already needs more than one professional. If no third person is available, the provider may reschedule or you may choose to proceed without one.

Ban on selling free drug samples

Selling free drug samples from manufacturers is banned. Pharmacists who sell these samples face discipline under the Pharmacy Act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Abdelnasser Rashid

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Ann M. Williams

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Anna Moeller

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Anne Stava

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Barbara Hernandez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Bob Morgan

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Camille Y. Lilly

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Carol Ammons

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Celina Villanueva

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Curtis J. Tarver, II

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Dagmara Avelar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Daniel Didech

    Affiliation unavailable

  • David Koehler

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Debbie Meyers-Martin

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Doris Turner

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Gregg Johnson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Harry Benton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jehan Gordon-Booth

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Joyce Mason

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Julie A. Morrison

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Justin Slaughter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kam Buckner

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Katie Stuart

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kevin John Olickal

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kimberly Du Buclet

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Laura Faver Dias

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Laura Fine

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Laura M. Murphy

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lilian Jiménez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lindsey LaPointe

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lisa Davis

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Margaret Croke

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Martha Deuter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Martin J. Moylan

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mary Beth Canty

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mattie Hunter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Maura Hirschauer

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Maurice A. West, II

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michelle Mussman

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mike Porfirio

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Nabeela Syed

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Norma Hernandez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Rachel Ventura

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Rita Mayfield

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Robyn Gabel

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sharon Chung

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sonya M. Harper

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Suzy Glowiak Hilton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Theresa Mah

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Will Guzzardi

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Willie Preston

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Yolonda Morris

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 291 • No: 31

House vote 5/31/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 5/31/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 116 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/30/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 58 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/29/2026

Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities;

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote 4/10/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 87 • No: 26

House vote 3/19/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0764

    8/7/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    8/7/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    8/7/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/26/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    6/1/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    6/1/2026Senate
  7. Passed Both Houses

    5/31/2026House
  8. House Concurs

    5/31/2026House
  9. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 116-000-000

    5/31/2026House
  10. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee; 014-000-000

    5/31/2026House
  11. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    5/31/2026House
  12. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Health Care Licenses Committee

    5/30/2026House
  13. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee

    5/30/2026House
  14. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

    5/30/2026House
  15. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

    5/30/2026House
  16. Arrived in House

    5/30/2026House
  17. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison

    5/30/2026Senate
  18. Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000

    5/30/2026Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 30, 2026

    5/29/2026Senate
  20. Second Reading

    5/29/2026Senate
  21. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading

    5/29/2026Senate
  22. Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities; 007-000-000

    5/29/2026Senate
  23. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted

    5/29/2026Senate
  24. Waive Posting Notice

    5/29/2026Senate
  25. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Licensed Activities

    5/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

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