All Roll Calls
Yes: 196 • No: 0
IllinoisSB2494104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTICE ACT
Sponsored By: Suzy Glowiak Hilton (Democratic)
Became Law
assignmentslicensed activitieshealth care licenses
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
Stronger discipline and fines for practitioners
The Department can discipline a respiratory care practitioner for listed misconduct and fine up to $10,000 per violation. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must surrender it at once or the Department can seize it. The Secretary may summarily suspend a license if your practice is an imminent danger; a hearing must start within 30 days. The Secretary or Attorney General can ask a court to stop violations, and the Department may issue a cease‑and‑desist after giving at least seven days to answer. The Department pays for a certified reporter to create the hearing record, and the Secretary may order a rehearing if justice was not done. For court review, you must file in the proper circuit court and pay the Department’s costs to certify the record; sanctions stay in effect during the appeal. If a payment to the Department is returned, you owe the amount plus a $50 fine and must pay by certified funds within 30 days or lose your license or be denied.
Getting and renewing a respiratory care license
To get a respiratory care license, you must apply on the Department form, pay fees, finish an approved training program, and pass the exam within five years of applying. If you hold a state or national credential the Department accepts, you can be licensed without taking the exam. Your original application must include your Social Security Number or ITIN; the Department keeps it. For renewals or restored licenses, you must use the customer ID the Department assigns. The Department sets license expiration and renewal dates. You must pay renewal fees and show you met continuing education. CE can be verified by audit or certificates, and waivers are allowed for military service, extreme hardship, or recent initial licensure.
Respiratory Care Board expands to seven
The Respiratory Care Board grows from five to seven members. It now has four practitioners, one qualified medical director, and two hospital administrators. Members serve four‑year terms, may serve until successors are appointed, and cannot serve more than ten years in a row. The Secretary appoints the members.
New rules for athletic trainers
Athletic trainer applicants and licensees must provide a valid mailing and email address and report any change within 14 days. The Secretary may summarily suspend an athletic trainer’s license without a hearing if continued practice is an imminent danger. A hearing must begin within 30 days.
Who can do respiratory tasks without a license
Trained, unlicensed staff may deliver and set up prescribed respiratory devices (not ventilators) and show how the machine works. They cannot attach devices to a patient or give clinical teaching; a licensed professional must do the clinical instruction. The law lists people who may do limited tasks without a respiratory care license, such as supervised students (with time limits), family caregivers, certain hospital staff, sleep technologists, lab staff drawing blood, credentialed pulmonary technologists, and trained screeners for basic spirometry. No one may call themselves a “respiratory care practitioner” or do an RCP’s duties without a valid license, unless an exemption applies. Licensed RCPs may use the title “respiratory care practitioner” or “RCP” and must include their title or initials in every advertisement.
Contact updates and official email notices
If you apply for or hold a respiratory care license, you must give a valid mailing and email address and report any change within 14 days. The Department’s investigation and hearing notices count if delivered in person, sent by certified mail to your address on file, or emailed to your email on file. The Act uses Illinois’ Administrative Procedure Act (except one paragraph is excluded). For this Act, mailing or emailing notice to your address of record is sufficient. Keep your contact info current so you do not miss official notices.
Some sections end January 1, 2026
Several sections of this Act are set to be repealed on January 1, 2026. Those sections will no longer be law after that date. The exact effect depends on which sections end.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Suzy Glowiak Hilton
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Bob Morgan
Democratic • House
Jawaharial Williams
Democratic • House
Kimberly A. Lightford
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/22/2025
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 113 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 56 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass Licensed Activities;
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0152
8/1/2025SenateEffective Date January 1, 2026; Some Provisions
8/1/2025SenateEffective Date August 1, 2025; Some Provisions
8/1/2025SenateGovernor Approved
8/1/2025SenateSent to the Governor
6/20/2025SenatePassed Both Houses
5/22/2025SenateThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000
5/22/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/14/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
5/14/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/23/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee; 013-000-000
4/23/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
4/23/2025HouseAssigned to Health Care Licenses Committee
4/17/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
4/9/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/9/2025HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Bob Morgan
4/9/2025HouseArrived in House
4/9/2025HouseThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
4/4/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/4/2025SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Glowiak-Hilton
4/4/2025SenateRecalled to Second Reading
4/4/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
4/4/2025SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 008-000-000
4/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1